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.

In a new development within the Saudi club Al-Nassr, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of the first football team, has made his final decision regarding his participation in the upcoming match against Erciyes. "CR7" informed his teammates of his definitive decision to play in this AFC Champions League 2 match, a tournament in which Al-Nassr is aiming to compete strongly for the title this season to add to its continental trophy cabinet.

Sources close to Al-Nassr confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo has directly informed the team's players that he will continue to be absent from the starting lineup and the squad list for the upcoming Asian Champions League match against Erciyes. According to these sources, the Portuguese captain will not travel with the team to the match, preferring to remain behind to continue his individual training program and ensure he is fully prepared for the upcoming domestic and continental competitions, which demand high levels of physical exertion and intense focus.

This decision comes as a continuation of Ronaldo's recent absences from matches, as the Madeira native missed the team's last two games against Al-Riyadh and Al-Ittihad respectively, during crucial matches in the Saudi Professional League. This ongoing absence has raised questions among fans and the media, but it is seen as a measure to maintain the player's fitness and avoid fatigue given the tight schedule of matches.

In terms of results and performance, Al-Nassr demonstrated its remarkable ability to compensate for the absence of its influential captain and cope with challenging circumstances. The team secured a valuable and well-deserved victory in its last match against its traditional rival, Al-Ittihad. The "Clásico" ended with Al-Nassr winning 2-0 in the match held as part of the previous round of the Saudi Professional League at Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, giving the team a significant morale boost ahead of its Asian campaign.

The match against Arkadag holds particular significance for Al-Nassr's continental ambitions, as the AFC Champions League 2 (the newly revamped version of the Asian Champions League) represents a strategic objective for the club's management and its fans, who are eager for international titles. Despite Ronaldo's absence, the coaching staff is counting on the team's other stars to continue their winning streak and secure qualification for the later stages, especially given the team's strong bench and players capable of making a difference.

Sports analysts believe that Ronaldo's decision not to travel for this match may be a calculated tactical and technical one, especially given the tight schedule of consecutive matches both domestically and continentally. Long-distance travel for Asian matches could lead to player fatigue, making squad rotation essential to maintain the fitness of star players for the crucial matches at the end of the season.