Al-Ahli Unveils Bold Attacking Trident for Al-Riyadh Clash

Mario Bosic has wasted no time raising the stakes. For Al-Ahli’s fifth-round clash in the Saudi league against Al-Riyadh this Friday, the coach has rolled out a front line that screams intent.

Francisco Trincao, Wenderson Galeno and Ivan Toney all start together, a high-octane attacking trident designed to pin Al-Riyadh back and keep them there. It is a clear statement: Al-Raqi are not turning up to feel their way into this one.

Behind them, Bosic sticks with experience and structure. Edouard Mendy keeps his place in goal, shielded by a back four of Rayan Hamed, Mohammed Bakr, Roger Ibanez and Saad Bulaihid. It is a unit built to give that front three the freedom to roam.

In midfield, Valentin Atangana and Artem Bondarenko provide the engine, while Edward Spertsyan is tasked with stitching it all together between the lines. If Spertsyan finds space, Trincao and Galeno will be the first to dart into it, with Toney lurking for any half-chance in the box.

Al-Ahli starting XI:

Edouard Mendy; Rayan Hamed, Mohammed Bakr, Roger Ibanez, Saad Bulaihid; Valentin Atangana, Artem Bondarenko; Edward Spertsyan; Francisco Trincao, Wenderson Galeno, Ivan Toney.

Al-Riyadh, though, have not come to play the supporting role.

Milan Borjan starts in goal, a vocal presence behind a defence of Sultan Al-Aisa, Abdulelah Al-Khaibari, Rodrigo Abascal and Sulaiman Hazazi. In front of them, Fahad Jizani and Victor Lekhal bring bite and balance in midfield, while Teddy Okou, Issam Bahri and Hassan Al-Ali look to carry the threat in advanced areas.

The line is led by Antonis, charged with punishing any lapse from the Al-Ahli back line.

Al-Riyadh starting XI:

Milan Borjan; Sultan Al-Aisa, Abdulelah Al-Khaibari, Rodrigo Abascal, Sulaiman Hazazi; Fahad Jizani, Victor Lekhal; Teddy Okou, Issam Bahri, Hassan Al-Ali; Antonis.

Bosic has set the tone with his selection. Now the question is simple: can this aggressive Al-Ahli setup turn promise on paper into points on the pitch?