Hassan Tambakti Returns to Al-Hilal Training
Al-Hilal have taken a significant step toward restoring the spine of their defence.
Saudi international Hassan Tambakti was back on the training pitch today, joining the first phase of the session and handing coach Simone Inzaghi a badly needed lift as the season edges into its most demanding stretch.
Tambakti steps back in
Tambakti has been sidelined in recent weeks after picking up an injury while on duty with the Saudi national team during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The problem forced him into a spell of treatment and a tailored rehabilitation plan designed to rebuild both his physical power and his sharpness on the ball.
Today brought the first real sign that the plan is working. The centre-back completed the opening part of the workout with his teammates, a clear indication that his full reintegration into the squad is getting closer.
For now, caution still rules. His return to official matches will depend on how quickly he can reach full fitness and on Inzaghi’s assessment of when he is ready to handle the intensity of competitive minutes.
Defence under scrutiny
The timing of his comeback could reshape Al-Hilal’s run-in.
The back line has creaked in recent weeks. Spaces have appeared through the middle, individual errors have crept in, and several defenders have dipped below their usual standards. The stability that once defined “the Boss” has not always been there.
Kalidou Koulibaly, usually a pillar at the heart of defence, has struggled to hit top form. That has left Inzaghi searching for reliable combinations and clearer solutions in central areas, especially with high-stakes fixtures piling up across multiple competitions.
Tambakti’s presence changes the picture. His ability to cover ground, win duels and read danger gives the Italian coach a different set of tools. It allows him to reshuffle his backline with a defender who understands both the demands of the club and the pressure of big occasions.
Big-game defender for a decisive stretch
Inside Al-Hilal, Tambakti is more than just another option. He is a key piece in the club’s calculations for the run-in. His technical quality is matched by his experience in high-pressure matches, where concentration and timing decide everything.
Those traits are exactly what Inzaghi needs as decisive fixtures loom on several fronts. Tight games, narrow margins, one mistake too many – this is the territory where a defender like Tambakti earns his value.
For now, his return is only partial, but the message is clear: help is on the way for a defence that has been under the microscope. Once the Saudi international reaches full sharpness, Inzaghi might finally have the missing piece to restore Al-Hilal’s defensive solidity and balance at the moment it matters most.
