Al-Hilal, the Saudi Professional League leaders, are preparing for a crucial match against Al-Fayha in the 17th round of the competition, to be held at their new home ground, the Kingdom Arena. Despite the team's high morale, the squad, coached by Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus, faces a significant challenge due to the absence of several key players, putting the depth of the Blue Wave's lineup to the test.

Details of absences and their impact

The list of absentees includes some prominent names, most notably star player Salem Al-Dawsari , the best player in Asia, who is continuing his treatment and rehabilitation program due to a recent injury that has kept him out of recent matches. Al-Dawsari's absence is a significant blow to the attack, given his ability to make a difference with his individual skills and decisive goals. Alongside him, the Senegalese defensive stalwart Kalidou Koulibaly , suffering from a thigh injury. He will undergo a medical examination to determine his fitness and return date. Sources also indicate that coach Jesus is inclined to rest the outstanding Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and give goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Rubaie a chance to start, a move aimed at rotating players and avoiding fatigue amidst the congested fixture schedule.

General context and importance of the match

Al-Hilal enters this match comfortably atop the league standings, having secured a series of consecutive victories and delivered impressive performances that have made them the clear favorites for the title. This encounter comes as the team seeks to maintain their unbeaten record and continue their dominance before the international break. Historically, matches against Al-Fayha have not been easy for Al-Hilal, as the "Orange" team is known for its organized defense and ferocious counter-attacks, making this a true test of Al-Hilal's ability to handle challenges despite being shorthanded.

Expected impact and Jesus' strategy

These absences are expected to affect coach Jorge Jesus's tactical approach, as he will have to find suitable replacements for players of the caliber of Al-Dawsari and Coulibaly. These circumstances highlight the importance of a strong squad and a deep bench capable of filling gaps when needed, something the Al-Hilal management worked hard to achieve during the summer transfer window. This match will be an opportunity for players like Mohammed Al-Rubaie, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, and others to prove their worth and earn the trust of the coach and the fans. Successfully passing this test will confirm not only Al-Hilal's technical prowess but also the depth and quality of its squad, which is crucial in the long race to win domestic and continental titles.

A night of football full of contradictions in the Champions League

The stadiums of Europe witnessed an exceptional night in the seventh round of the Champions League group stage, with the fortunes of the top clubs dramatically varying. While Arsenal secured their place as the first team to qualify for the round of 16 with a decisive victory, the same night saw resounding defeats for the defending champions Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, in upsets that reshuffled the standings in their respective groups.

Arsenal maintain their perfect record and secure qualification

In Milan, on the pitch of the historic San Siro stadium, Arsenal confirmed their complete dominance of their group, returning with a valuable 3-1 victory over hosts Inter Milan. This win, the London club's seventh in a row, was more than just three points; it officially secured their early qualification for the knockout stages, making them the first team to guarantee their place in the round of 16 this season. Brazilian star Gabriel Jesus shone in the match, scoring a brace (10th and 31st minutes), confirming his strong return to form after a long absence due to a serious injury. Jesus expressed his overwhelming joy, saying it was a "dream night," noting that scoring in such a stadium was a childhood dream. Substitute Victor Gyukeris completed the Gunners' scoring, while Petar Sušić scored a consolation goal for the Nerazzurri.

Real Madrid begins a new chapter with a crushing six-goal victory

At the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid delivered one of their finest performances of the season, giving their new coach Álvaro Arbeloa a perfect start to their European campaign with a resounding 6-1 victory over Monaco. This win erased the memory of Arbeloa's shaky start since succeeding Xabi Alonso, particularly after their unexpected Copa del Rey exit. Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior spearheaded the attacking duo, with Mbappé scoring twice against his former club, while Vinicius provided a brilliant assist and scored a superb goal. This emphatic victory not only boosts the team's standing in the European competition but also provides a significant morale boost, helping them regain momentum and confidence, and turning a new page with the fans who are beginning to see their faith in the team restored.

Shocking surprises: The defending champions and Manchester City fall

Conversely, it was a disastrous night for two of the title favorites. Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Sporting Lisbon, a result that complicates their position in the group. But the biggest surprise came in Norway, where the unfancied Bodø/Glimt inflicted a historic 3-1 defeat on Manchester City. The Norwegian side capitalized on home advantage to secure their first-ever Champions League group stage victory, thanks to a brace from Kasper Hauge and the sending off of City midfielder Rodri. These unexpected defeats raise questions about the form and consistency of both PSG and City, and prove once again that the Champions League is not about big names, but about performance on the pitch.

The match between Al-Ahli and Al-Khaleej, in the seventeenth round of the Saudi Professional League, sparked widespread refereeing controversy, with the star English striker Ivan Toni at the center of it. In this context, Egyptian refereeing expert, Captain Yasser Abdel Raouf, confirmed in exclusive statements to Al-Midan Al-Riyadi that the Al-Ahli striker deserved a straight red card for his violent tackle on the Al-Khaleej player.

Details of the arbitration case and expert opinion

Abdulraouf explained that the referee's decision was incorrect, pointing out that the incident contained all the elements of a straight red card. He said, "The referee's decision was wrong in Ivan Toni's challenge on the Al-Khaleej player. Toni's intent to injure was clear and evident, as his foot was dangerously high even though the ball was on the ground. The correct decision in such cases is a straight red card for violent conduct." This opinion was not unique, as it was supported by Al-Khaleej's coach, Giorgos Donis, who stated that the referee's failure to send off Toni was a major turning point that completely changed the course and outcome of the match, depriving his team of the opportunity to play with a numerical advantage.

General context and importance of the match

This incident comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is experiencing unprecedented global attention, having attracted top stars from around the world, including Ivan Toni, who joined Al-Ahli from the English Premier League. This momentum is intensely scrutinizing every aspect of the competition, including the refereeing standards and VAR decisions. Matches like these are of paramount importance to both teams; Al-Ahli is striving to compete strongly for the top spot, while Al-Khaleej is aiming to improve its position in the league table. Any influential refereeing decision could shift the balance of power and impact the clubs' long-term ambitions.

The potential impact of the decision on the league

The failure to send off a player of Ivan Toni's caliber, who went on to score a hat-trick and lead his team to a resounding 4-0 victory, opens the door wide to a debate about the fairness of the competition and the impact of refereeing errors on the outcomes of crucial matches. Had the correct decision been made, Al-Ahli would have finished the match with ten men, and Toni would have been suspended for subsequent matches, directly impacting the team's attacking prowess in the fiercely competitive league. This incident highlights the importance of the accurate application of VAR technology to ensure maximum fairness among competing teams and reinforces the ongoing calls for improving refereeing standards to keep pace with the significant development witnessed in the Saudi League.