Al-Hilal's Italian manager, Simone Inzaghi, has announced the official lineup for the team's upcoming match against Al-Akhdoud, in the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League. This match is particularly important as it will be played away from home at Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, adding a new challenge for Al-Hilal in their quest for the title.

Al-Hilal's official lineup against Al-Akhdoud

Inzaghi decided to field his strongest lineup in this match, with the starting eleven packed with stars to ensure securing the three points. The lineup was as follows:

• Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou.
• Defense line: Theo Hernandez, Ali Lajami, Kalidou Koulibaly, Hamad Al-Yami.
• Midfield: Sergej Savic, Ruben Neves, Simon Poiri.
• Attack line: Malcolm Philippe, Salem Al-Dawsari, Karim Benzema.

Benzema's return and forced changes in defense

The list witnessed a pleasant surprise for Al-Hilal fans with the presence of international star Karim Benzema as a key element in leading the attacking line, as the technical staff relies on him to unlock Al-Akhdoud’s defenses and exploit half-chances inside the penalty area, especially in light of the expected harmony with wingers Salem Al-Dawsari and Malcom Philip.

On the defensive front, Inzaghi made a forced change, bringing in defender Ali Lajami to the starting lineup to compensate for the absence of international defender Hassan Tambakti. Tambakti's absence from this crucial match is due to suspension resulting from an accumulation of yellow cards, which ruled him out of the coaching staff's plans for this round. This places the burden on Lajami and Coulibaly to secure the back line in front of goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

The context of the competition and the importance of the match

This match comes at a crucial juncture in the Roshan Professional League, as teams enter the decisive stages of the competition and strive to accumulate points. Facing Al-Akhdoud at their home ground in Najran represents a true test of Al-Hilal's mental and physical readiness, given the expected large crowd and the difficulty of playing away from home. With such star players, Al-Hilal aims to establish early dominance on the field and avoid any surprises that could derail their league campaign.

The Roshan League matches enjoy widespread global attention, placing a significant responsibility on the players and coach Simone Inzaghi to deliver performances worthy of Saudi football's reputation and the remarkable development of sports in the Kingdom. The presence of such prominent names as Neves, Savic, and Benzema in the starting lineup reflects the team's formidable technical prowess and underscores their burning desire to continue winning and strive for championship titles.

One of the biggest matches of the season in the Saudi Professional League kicks off today, Sunday, when Al-Hilal hosts Al-Ahli in the highlight of Matchday 20. This encounter carries with it a tactical and psychological dimension for both teams, who are fiercely competing for the top spot in the standings.

Al-Hilal, led by Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, aims to maintain its position at the top of the table after a fiercely contested season. The team currently sits atop the standings with a strong points tally and is close to securing the title early if it maintains its current form against its toughest rivals.
Inzaghi, one of the most experienced coaches in Europe after managing major clubs like Inter Milan, has earned the respect of Saudi fans with his organized and balanced style, despite a recent dip in results following a series of draws in previous rounds.
Al-Hilal's tactics emphasize ball possession, control of the flanks, and high pressing, making them formidable opponents in every match, especially at home. The support of the fans and the strong attacking options of players like Darwin Núñez and Salem Al-Dawsari add another dimension to their attacking threat.
Al-Ahli, under the leadership of Matthias Jäissle
, enters tomorrow's match under the guidance of German coach Matthias Jäissle, who has been leading a developmental project since taking charge, relying on a blend of European experience and local dynamism.
Jäissle has succeeded in creating a balanced team capable of competing on multiple fronts, as clearly demonstrated by the impressive victories achieved by Al-Ahli in recent weeks, particularly the resounding 4-0 win against Al-Ettifaq, which gave the team a morale boost before facing Al-Hilal.
In statements before the derby, Jäissle affirmed his complete confidence in his players and that the team is ready for the big challenge, emphasizing that their full focus will be on achieving a positive result against the league leaders.
Simone Inzaghi's record with Al-Hilal:
Matches: 32
, Wins: 25
, Draws: 6
, Losses: 1
, Goals: 75
, Concessions: 30.
Matthias Jäissle's record with Al-Ahli
: Matches: 115
, Wins: 75
, Draws: 18
Losses: 22,
Goals: 256,
Concessions: 126.

Rome – Italy

Qissa, the Gulf-based luxury perfume brand, has announced its official partnership with AS Roma, becoming the club's exclusive fragrance sponsor. This strategic move combines Arabian craftsmanship with the cultural identity of one of Europe's most prestigious and globally influential clubs, embodying the "spirit of Rome."
Rome is considered one of the world's leading capitals of fashion and culture, representing a unique convergence of rich history, art, fashion, and contemporary influence. In a particularly significant strategic step, Qissa was selected from among a select group of international fragrance brands to be the exclusive fragrance sponsor, a clear affirmation of its growing stature and the trust placed in it by global institutions. This selection marks a pivotal milestone for Qissa, a qualitative achievement that reflects its ability to represent Arabian craftsmanship on the international stage and strengthen its presence in major global centers of influence through partnerships that represent the convergence of cultures and the integration of markets.

The partnership, launched under the slogan "The Wolf Deserves the Best," expresses mutual recognition between two brands with established identities and a strong presence, preceding any direct promotion or advertising. Rome is not merely a football city; it is a city that embodies strength, belonging, and continuity. From this heritage, the partnership emerges, reflecting the shared values ​​that unite the two parties.
This partnership arises at a point where the Arab heritage in perfumery intersects with the spirit of one of Europe's most prestigious clubs, transcending geographical boundaries and presenting a new model for partnerships based on culture, identity, and belonging, not just visibility.
Through this partnership, the story of the official perfume partner of AS Roma becomes a reality, enhancing its presence on a global platform where sports are a powerful space for building brands and fostering emotional connections with diverse audiences worldwide.

“This partnership with Italian club Roma is a strategic step in the growth journey of Qissa Global,” said Mr. Bashar Al-Amir, CEO of Qissa.

He added: “We are honored and proud to become an official partner of this prestigious club with its rich heritage and passionate global fan base. Through this collaboration, we seek to combine the essence of Italian football heritage with Middle Eastern craftsmanship, to create a cultural dialogue that will contribute to elevating both brands to a new level.”.

Michael Gandler, Chief Business Officer of AS Roma, praised the partnership, saying: “We are proud to welcome Qissa as the official fragrance partner of the club.”.

He added: “This collaboration represents a meeting point of cultures and values, where football, luxury and lifestyle converge in one integrated framework. Creating a joint fragrance that carries the identity of both brands is a unique expression of our personality, capable of creating an emotional and sensory connection with our fans around the world.”.

AS Roma boasts a vast global fan base, comprising between 80 and 90 million fans worldwide, more than 46.6 million followers across social media platforms, and nearly 129 million television viewers per season, giving the partnership an influential global dimension in promoting the international spread of the Qissa brand.

The story does not seek to redefine Rome, but rather to become part of its cultural fabric. The concept of "The Scent of Rome," "The Essence of Rome," embodies this connection, as an expression of belonging and recognition of identity, not a claim to it.

The Qissa x Roma partnership represents more than just a formal sponsorship agreement; it is a strategic shift that reflects the brand's evolution from a regional success story to a global name present on the international cultural and commercial scene.

By combining sports, wellness, and cultural identity, Qissa continues to enhance its global presence while preserving its authentic roots and values.

The wolf deserves the best