Al-Hilal's first-team training session on Sunday was marked by the absence of Moroccan international goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, as the team prepares for a crucial match in the seventh round of the AFC Champions League group stage. The training session took place at the Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Stadium in the UAE, in anticipation of the upcoming game.

Yassine Bounou’s absence from the training session and from the squad for the upcoming match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai was due to a technical decision aimed at resting him, as the technical staff, led by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, seeks to implement a policy of rotating players to avoid physical exhaustion, especially in light of the succession of matches and the fierce competition that “Al-Zaeem” is engaged in on all local and continental fronts.

With the absence of the "Atlas Lion," it is widely expected that goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Rubaie will be the first choice to protect Al-Hilal's goal during their Asian Champions League match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai. This match presents a crucial opportunity for Al-Rubaie to demonstrate his technical and physical readiness, and to prove the ability of Al-Hilal's bench to compensate for the absence of key players during critical moments.

Al-Hilal enters this match with very high morale, buoyed by its recent positive results. The team achieved a resounding victory in its last match in the Roshan Professional League, defeating Al-Akhdoud 6-0 at Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Stadium. This impressive win reflects the team's formidable attacking prowess, but the Asian challenge also demands defensive solidity and a stellar goalkeeping performance.

The AFC Champions League group stage is of paramount importance to Al Hilal, who always strive to extend their record as the most decorated club in Asia. The group stage is crucial for securing a strong finish, which facilitates their progress in the knockout rounds. Therefore, the decision to rest Bono is part of a strategic plan to keep the team's stars fresh for the more decisive stages of the season.

It's worth noting that Yassine Bounou has been a cornerstone of Al-Hilal's lineup since joining, contributing significantly to numerous victories thanks to his crucial saves and extensive international experience. However, the coaching staff's confidence in backup goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Rubaie reflects the depth of Al-Hilal's squad and its ability to adapt to various circumstances and absences.

The Italian coach of Al-Hilal, Simone Inzaghi, made an important technical and administrative decision before the anticipated match against the Emirati team Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, as he decided to exclude three of the team’s most prominent stars, namely the team’s captain Salem Al-Dawsari, the solid defender Kalidou Koulibaly, and the striker Marcos Leonardo, from the list that left to compete in the seventh round of the AFC Champions League.

Sources close to Al-Hilal revealed that Inzaghi's decision to exclude Salem Al-Dawsari and Kalidou Koulibaly is part of a rotation policy aimed at resting key players, especially given the team's demanding schedule of consecutive matches both domestically and continentally. The Italian coach aims to maintain the physical fitness of his mainstays and prevent muscle fatigue before the crucial stages of the season. As for the exclusion of Marcos Leonardo, the decision was purely technical, deemed by the coaching staff to be appropriate for the nature of the match and the planned tactics.

Al-Hilal is set to face Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai away at 7:00 PM tomorrow, Monday, in a match where the Blues will seek to reaffirm their continental dominance. This match is part of the seventh round of the group stage of the tournament under its new format, and Al-Hilal enters the game in a very comfortable position in the standings.

Al-Hilal currently sits atop its group with a perfect record of 18 points, four points ahead of its closest rival, Iran's Tractor Sazi, which occupies second place. This significant points advantage has given coach Inzaghi the freedom to make changes to the lineup and give other players the opportunity to prove themselves, reflecting the depth of the Saudi team's squad and its ability to compete with a diverse roster.

On the other hand, Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai enters the match in fifth place with 10 points, making this game crucial for the Emirati team as they seek to improve their position in the standings and secure qualification for the knockout stages. Matches between Saudi and Emirati clubs are always highly competitive and exciting, given their long history of rivalry in Asian championships. Al-Hilal consistently strives to reaffirm its dominance in Asia, while Shabab Al-Ahli aims to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to achieve a positive result against the title favorites.

Inzaghi’s decision reflects the great confidence in Al-Hilal’s bench, as the Al-Hilal system has proven in recent years that it does not depend on one player, but rather works as an integrated group capable of compensating for any absence, which makes Al-Hilal fans reassured despite the absence of names of the magnitude of Salem and Coulibaly from this Asian encounter.

In a surprising decision for the sporting community and Al-Hilal fans, Italian coach Simone Inzaghi has decided to exclude Brazilian star Marcos Leonardo from the squad called up to face Emirati club Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai. This highly anticipated match is part of the seventh round of the group stage in the AFC Champions League, a tournament in which Al-Hilal is giving special attention as they strive to reclaim the continental title.

According to sources close to Al-Hilal, the decision to exclude Marcos Leonardo was based purely on the technical vision of coach Simone Inzaghi, who preferred to rest the player or rely on other tactical options more suited to the nature of the Emirati opponent. The same sources confirmed that the player is not suffering from any muscular or physical injury that would prevent him from participating, thus refuting rumors about his deteriorating health. The coaching staff confirmed the player's readiness for upcoming matches, both domestically and continentally.

Al-Hilal's absences in this crucial Asian encounter aren't limited to Leonardo; the squad is missing several key players who could complicate matters for coach Inzaghi. French star Karim Benzema will be unavailable due to his previous participation with Al-Ittihad in the group stage, a violation of tournament regulations. The team's injury woes continue, with captain Salem Al-Dawsari and stalwart defender Kalidou Koulibaly both sidelined, presenting a significant challenge in finding replacements for these influential figures.

On the morale front, Al Hilal enters the match buoyed by a resounding victory in their last domestic outing, where they thrashed Al-Akhdoud 6-0 in the Roshan Professional League. This emphatic win reflects the team's potent attacking force and the high spirits of its players, qualities that Inzaghi will be looking to capitalize on against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai to secure three points and solidify the team's position at the top of their Asian Champions League group.

This match is of particular importance given the intense rivalry that characterizes encounters between Saudi and Emirati clubs in continental competitions. Al-Hilal aims to send a strong message to its Asian rivals through this encounter, demonstrating that the team is capable of overcoming significant absences and bold tactical decisions thanks to its strong bench and the tactical system implemented by the Italian coach.