Football fans around the world will be glued to their screens on Friday, January 23, 2026, for a day packed with exciting and diverse matches across different continents. From the fierce battle for points in Europe's top leagues to the intense competition for continental glory in the CAF Champions League, and even the high ambitions of the Saudi Professional League, this day promises a rich football feast to satisfy every taste.

European clashes with different flavors

The European leagues continue their relentless pursuit of their goals as we enter the halfway point of the season. Every team is striving to achieve its objectives, whether it's competing for the title, securing a European qualification spot, or avoiding relegation. Several important matches are scheduled for today in the Spanish, Italian, and French leagues.

Spanish League: The Midfield Battle

In Spain, Levante hosts Elche in a match of great importance to both teams in the La Liga standings. Such mid-season fixtures are often crucial in determining the course of the season, as every point gained at this stage can be decisive in the fight for survival or the competition for European qualification.

• Levante vs Elche – 11:00 PM Saudi Arabia Time

Italian League: Inter seeks to strengthen its position

The Italian Serie A will witness a clash between Inter Milan, one of the giants of Italian football with its rich history, and Pisa. Inter always strives to compete strongly for the league title, and home matches are considered an ideal opportunity to secure three points and strengthen their position at the top of the standings, while Pisa aims to achieve a positive result against a tough opponent.

• Inter vs. Pisa – 10:45 PM Saudi Arabia Time

French League: Paris Saint-Germain on a new mission

In France, the star-studded Paris Saint-Germain travel to Auxerre. Matches for the Parisian side are always closely watched, given their attacking prowess and their relentless pursuit of the Ligue 1 title. Meanwhile, Auxerre will be hoping to capitalize on home advantage and a supportive crowd to pull off a major upset.

• Auxerre vs. Paris Saint-Germain – 10:00 PM Saudi Arabia Time

A fiery African night in the Champions League

The excitement continues in the group stage of the CAF Champions League, the most prestigious and important club competition in Africa. The matches in this round are crucial in determining which teams will advance to the knockout stages.

Sundowns host Al-Hilal of Sudan

In a highly anticipated clash, South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns, known for their distinctive attacking style, will host Sudan's Al-Hilal, a team with a massive fan base and a rich history. This encounter has become a classic of the tournament in recent years, consistently delivering fierce competition and intense battles on the pitch.

• Mamelodi Sundowns vs Al-Hilal (Sudan) – 11:00 PM Saudi Arabia Time

Al Ahly of Egypt vs. Young Africans

At their home ground in Cairo, Al Ahly of Egypt, the record holders for the most titles in the competition, will face a crucial match against Tanzania's Young Africans. The "Red Devils" always strive to reaffirm their continental dominance and secure a victory to guarantee first place in their group and ease their path in the later rounds.

• Al Ahly vs Young Africans – 7:00 PM Saudi Arabia Time

The ambition to advance ignites the Saudi Yellow League

The excitement is no less in the Saudi stadiums, where the competitions of the Yellow League for First Division clubs continue, which is witnessing fierce competition between several clubs in order to snatch the promotion tickets to the Saudi Professional League, which has become a destination for the most prominent stars of the world.

• Al-Oruba vs. Al-Bukairiyah – 3:50 PM Saudi Arabia Time
• Al-Diriyah vs. Al-Ta'i – 4:40 PM Saudi Arabia Time

Complete satisfaction and a remarkable attacking performance

Al-Hilal's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, expressed his complete satisfaction with his players' performance after their convincing 4-1 victory over Al-Fayha in the Saudi Professional League. During the post-match press conference, Jesus emphasized that the team entered the game with high mental focus and successfully imposed their control and attacking style from the opening minutes, enabling them to score an early goal and deliver a strong performance against a well-organized opponent.

Background of the Blue dominance in the current season

This victory further solidifies Al Hilal's dominance at the top of the Saudi Pro League, in an exceptional season where the team has delivered high-level performances and a series of consecutive wins, placing them among the leading contenders for the title. The "Leaders" are enjoying a golden period under the leadership of Jorge Jesus, combining defensive solidity with a potent attack, benefiting from a constellation of local and international stars who joined as part of the significant development witnessed in the Saudi Pro League, raising the level of competition and attracting the attention of fans worldwide.

Confidence in the front line and future ambitions

Jesus was particularly impressed with the performance of his forwards, expressing his confidence in their abilities. He stated, “We have excellent attacking options, and everyone is working incredibly hard. Malcom and Mitrovic are performing brilliantly, and I’m very happy with their understanding and synergy on the pitch.” Regarding the winter transfer window, Jesus emphasized his complete faith in the club’s management, affirming that they are constantly working to strengthen the team with the necessary players, both in midfield and attack, to maintain the squad’s strength and enhance its competitiveness at all levels, both domestically and continentally.

The local and regional impact of Al-Hilal's successes

Al-Hilal's continued positive results not only enhance its chances of winning the domestic league but also send a strong message to its rivals in the AFC Champions League, which the club considers a strategic objective. Domestic dominance gives the team confidence and high morale for continental challenges, and the strong performances of the team's stars raise the profile of the Roshan League globally, confirming the success of its project to attract top international talent.

Tactical flexibility and the importance of set pieces

The Portuguese coach addressed the diverse tactical roles of his players, noting that the occasional absence of key players like Salem Al-Dawsari is compensated for by a high degree of tactical flexibility, with other players capable of effectively covering multiple positions. Jesus also denied that relying on set pieces is merely a backup plan, emphasizing that they are an integral part of modern football and a crucial strategic weapon for deciding matches. He concluded by affirming that the coaching staff is placing great emphasis on developing this aspect and leveraging the aerial and shooting abilities of exceptional players to enhance the team's attacking effectiveness in upcoming matches.

Al-Hilal's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, expressed his complete satisfaction with his players' performance and the high fighting spirit they displayed in their consecutive victories in the Saudi Professional League. Following one of the team's convincing wins, Jesus emphasized that high concentration and an attacking approach were key to controlling the game from the opening minutes.

The context of Al-Hilal's dominance this season:
This strong performance comes within the context of an exceptional season under the leadership of Jorge Jesus. The team has achieved a historic winning streak that has captured global attention, solidifying its position as one of the strongest clubs not only in Saudi Arabia but also on the world stage. This dominance is not a coincidence, but rather the result of strategic planning by the management and high-quality signings that have added depth and strength to the squad, in addition to the tactical acumen of the Portuguese coach, who has successfully utilized his players' abilities optimally, especially given the fierce competition in the Saudi Professional League following the influx of international stars.

Praise for the attacking system and confidence in the management:
During his remarks to the media, Jesus specifically praised the forward line, explaining that he feels reassured and confident in the abilities of his strikers. He said, “We have outstanding attacking players like Aleksandar Mitrovic, Malcom, and Salem Al-Dawsari. They work incredibly hard and convert chances into goals, and that’s what gives us the advantage in most matches.” He added that the team aimed to be the initiating force in attack, which translated into imposing their style and delivering a strong performance against well-organized opponents.

Regarding the transfer market and the team's future aspirations, Jesus emphasized his complete confidence in the vision of the club's management, headed by Fahad bin Nafel, affirming their tireless and continuous work for the team's benefit. He explained that any decision made, whether to strengthen Al-Hilal's ranks with new players or maintain the current stability, will be based on a thorough assessment of the team's needs to ensure continued competitiveness for all domestic and continental titles.

the importance of tactical details in modern football
, denying that relying on set pieces is merely a stopgap solution. He emphasized, “Set pieces and long throw-ins are crucial tactical weapons in modern football and an important source of goals. We pay special attention to them in training, and we have players with exceptional abilities in executing and handling them, such as Ruben Neves in set pieces, and Kalidou Koulibaly and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in aerial balls. We are constantly working on developing these details to maximize their effectiveness.”