Surprise lineup shake-up: Al-Ahli freshens up for Al-Fayha showdown
30 December 2025
Al-Ahli lineup reshuffle for Al-Fayha clash
German coach Matthias Jaissle has named Al-Ahli Jeddah's starting XI for the Saudi Pro League encounter with Al-Fayha in round 12.
The lineup features a couple of shifts: Zakaria Housawi starts at left-back, and Mohammed Abdulrahman takes the right-back spot, replacing Ali Majrashi and Matteo Dams.
Majrashi has accumulated four yellow cards, leaving him at risk of a suspension with a fifth booking before the upcoming Clasico against Al-Nassr.
Enzo Miu is ruled out through suspension, with Ziad Al-Jehni stepping into midfield in his place.
A recap of the matchup details is available on the league page for those who want the deeper context of the clash.
Al-Ahli starting XI: Abdulrahman Al-Saibi; Mohammed Abdulrahman, Merih Demiral, Roger Ibanez, Zakaria Housawi; Ziad Al-Jehni, Valentin Atangana, Mateus Gonçalves; Firas Al-Brikan, Wenderson Galeno, Ivan Tony. On the bench: Abdullah Abdu, Rayan Hamid, Eid Al-Mulad, Fahd Al-Rashidi, Yasin Al-Zubaydi, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, Mohammed Suleiman Bakr, Matteo Dams, Rami Al-Attar.
Al-Fayha lineup: Orlando Mosquera; Chris Smolin, Mikel Villanueva, Mohammed Al-Baqawi; Ahmed Bamsaud, Alfa Simido, Yasin Ben Ziya, Mansour Al-Bishi; Ryan Al-Mutiri, Nawaf Al-Harthi, Jason Remero. On the bench: Abdulraouf Al-Daqil, Khalid Al-Ramah, Sabri Dehl, Makheer Al-Rashidi, Rakan Kaabi, Saiko Sika, Ziad Al-Sahfi, Stelios Frontis, Malik Al-Abdelmaneem.
The coach Pedro Emmanuel keeps a full complement of substitutes and options for both sides, underscoring the tactical depth ahead of the Saudi Pro League clash.
Bottom line: expect a carefully calibrated battle with positional shuffles designed to exploit weaknesses and preserve stamina as the season enters its crunch phase.
Punchline 1: Jaissle must have ordered a tactical documentary, because this lineup change feels like a high-stakes episode of “Left-Back, Right-Back, and the Midfield of Mystery.”
Punchline 2: If football logic had a sniper, it would love Jaissle’s bench — always aiming for the perfect shot at halftime Standoff.”
