Inzaghi’s Precision XI: Al Hilal Ready to Tackle Al Khaleej Without Bono
31 December 2025
Lineups and Key Details
Italian coach Simone Inzaghi unveiled the starting XI for Al Hilal's clash with Al Khaleej, scheduled for tonight at King Abdullah Sports City in the 12th round of the 2025-2026 Saudi Pro League.
To cover the absence of Moroccan Yassine Bono, Inzaghi trusted Mohammed Al-Rubaei in goal over Matthieu Batoui, while the attack pairs Brazilian Malcolm Leonardo with Uruguayan Darwin Nunez.
Salem Al-Dosri is out with a pelvic injury.
The official XI reads as follows:
Goalkeeper: Mohammed Al-Rubaei
Defence: Hamad Al-Yami, Hassan Tombakti, Youssef Akhichi, Theo Hernandez
Midfield: Muteb Al-Harbi, Sergej Savic, Mohammed Kanno
Attack: Malcolm Philip, Darwin Nunez, Marcus Leonardo
Al Hilal sits third in the standings on 26 points, five behind leaders Al Nassr who drew 2-2 with Al Ettifaq. Al Khaleej lie 13th with 9 points.
Two tangential notes: a win would keep the champions-in-waiting within reach of the top; a draw would still be acceptable for morale—silver linings and all that.
Punchline 1: If sharpness counted in football, this XI could star in a sniper-style masterclass—one shot, zero excuses. Bam!
Punchline 2: And if the ball could text, it would message: "I'm going in—see you at the back of the net." Click. Goal.
