Salem Al-Dosari’s Injury Casts Shadow Over Al Hilal’s Big Clash with Ettifaq

Injury casts shadow on Ettifaq clash

Salem Al-Dosari, Al Hilal’s captain, sustained a pelvic injury while with the Saudi national team, casting doubt on his availability for the Saudi Pro League clash with Ettifaq. The game is scheduled for Saturday at Ettifaq’s home ground in Dammam, as the league’s fifth round nears. Two days before kickoff, the club announced that the Tornado would miss training due to the injury, and no definitive return date was provided. The news injects uncertainty into the reigning champions’ plans and tests the depth of the squad.

With such a setback, coach Simone Inzaghi faces a selection dilemma as he prepares his side for a crucial encounter that could affect the title race. The captain’s leadership has been a cornerstone for the team, and his absence would demand a collective response from the veterans and youngsters alike, with a hint of improvisation and humor as a coping mechanism—because football is easier when your dressing room jokes aren’t as injured as your star player.

Possible replacements and tactical tweaks

If Al-Dosari is sidelined, Inzaghi is expected to explore several avenues. One direct option is Mohammed Al-Qahtani stepping in as a starter, while Malcolm could shift to the left wing and Kaio Cesar to the right to preserve balance in the attack. The Italian coach might also experiment with a bold tactical tweak, pushing French full-back Theo Hernandez into an attacking role on the left, supported by Muteb Al-Harbi at left-back, or opting for a three-man central defense to give Theo more freedom to press forward. These considerations reflect the coach’s willingness to rotate and protect the team’s structure while maintaining attacking intent.

The discussions around formations underline a broader question: can a captain’s absence be absorbed by the collective, or will a single leadership figure be missed too much? The answer may hinge on how quickly the squad adapts and whether the substitutes rise to the moment, because football went through a lot of twists before lunch, and it’s not done yet.

Nunez and Malcolm return to training

Meanwhile, good news came from the medical staff as Darwin Nunez and Malcolm resumed group training after completing their rehabilitation programs. Nunez, who has been sidelined by a knee issue since September 24, is expected to bolster the attacking options once fully fit. He joined Al Hilal from Liverpool in the off-season and has contributed two goals and a single assist across four appearances, while Malcolm has been building up his sharpness after an ankle/foot issue sustained during a league clash with Al-Ahli. The return of these two foreign players is timely given the expectation of a crowded schedule and the need for fresh legs in attack as the team chases consistency toward the business end of the season.

With Nunez and Malcolm back in the frame, Inzaghi could opt for a more flexible frontline, using the Brazilian’s pace on the left and the Uruguayan’s poise through the middle or on the right. The reintroduction of these players also helps ease the burden on the captain’s absence, offering a route to maintain momentum without sacrificing intensity. The squad’s recovery from injury has been a talking point, and supporters are hopeful that the timing coincides with a productive run of results.

In addition to the on-pitch implications, this development also signals a potential shift in the club’s transfer planning, as the coaching staff will weigh whether further reinforcements or rotations are needed to sustain a title push. The market window is not open yet, but the whispers of additions or tactical experiments will only grow louder should the injury list persist or performances dip.