Inzaghi Faces Watkins Fitness Dilemma Ahead of Al-Hilal's Asian Campaign
Al-Hilal step back onto the continental stage on Tuesday night with expectation heavy in the air – and a key question hanging over Simone Inzaghi’s starting XI.
Will Ollie Watkins make it?
The English forward remains a doubt for the AFC Champions League Elite opener against Qatar’s Al-Gharafa at Kingdom Arena, with Inzaghi confirming his availability will be decided only after the final training session.
“Whether (Ollie) Watkins participates or not will be decided after today’s training,” the Italian said, leaving the door open but the situation clearly uncertain.
A tournament “dear to our hearts”
Inzaghi sat alongside Kalidou Koulibaly in front of the cameras on Monday and made no attempt to play down the stakes. This is not just another fixture for Al-Hilal; it is the start of a campaign in a competition they believe belongs to them.
“This is a big tournament and dear to our hearts, and in today’s training we are aiming to prepare well to play our first match in it,” he said, his message aimed as much at his own dressing room as at the watching media.
Al-Hilal host Al-Gharafa in the first round of the league phase, only 48 hours after their last domestic outing against Al-Taawoun. The schedule has been unforgiving. Inzaghi’s stance has not softened.
“We think about each match on its own, and tomorrow is our first match in the tournament, we came out of the meeting with Al-Taawoun 48 hours ago, and we will aim to win the match.”
No rotation talk. No excuses. Just a demand to keep winning.
Familiar foe, same ferocity
This is no blind date. Al-Hilal know Al-Gharafa well, and that history shapes the tone of the build-up.
“We know Al-Gharafa well, we faced them last year, and they have almost the same coach and players, they have fast forwards, and we will enter the match with full ferocity,” Inzaghi warned.
That word – ferocity – underlines how he expects his side to approach the opener. Al-Gharafa’s pace in attack is a clear concern, but Al-Hilal arrive as the form side in Saudi Arabia and one of the continent’s heavyweights.
“The players are used to the pressure, we played 3 consecutive matches, and despite that we are still top of the league table,” he said. The message: pressure is normal here.
Best in Saudi, a point to prove in Asia
Domestically, Inzaghi could hardly ask for more. By his own assessment, Al-Hilal have set the standard at both ends of the pitch in the Roshn League.
“We are the best team on both the attacking and defensive fronts (in the Roshn League), and tomorrow we will open a new chapter in the Asian tournament.”
That “new chapter” line carries weight. The last one ended painfully.
Al-Hilal crashed out of the previous AFC Champions League Elite in the quarter-finals, beaten on penalties by Qatar’s Al-Sadd. For a club that has lifted the trophy four times – the most in the competition’s history – that exit still stings.
Selection puzzles and returning options
Injuries have complicated Inzaghi’s plans, but there was at least one positive update. “(Simon) Bouabre will be available for the match, and we will aim to use all available players in this tournament,” he confirmed.
While Watkins remains the major doubt, two other attacking names are firmly in the frame.
“(Crysencio) Summerville and (Gabriel) Martinelli will feature in the game,” Inzaghi said, guaranteeing fresh energy in the final third regardless of the Englishman’s status.
So Al-Hilal walk into another Asian night with their pedigree unquestioned, their league form intact, and their intent loudly stated. The only uncertainty is up front.
If Watkins makes it, they unleash another weapon. If he does not, can the continent’s most decorated club still begin this campaign like a team determined to write a very different ending?
