Al Hilal’s Injury Clock: Can the Quad Return in Time for the Gharafa showdown?

Injury updates and how Hilal plans to approach the Gharafa clash

Al Hilal Saudi Club disclosed the fitness status of several players for their upcoming match against Qatar’s Al Gharafa, which is scheduled for Monday at the Second Bin Jassim Stadium in the fourth round of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025-26.

The Riyadh-based side enters the game sitting top of the West Group with nine points from three wins, while Al Gharafa occupy eighth place with three points.

The club confirmed via an official statement posted on X that Sergej Savić and Darwin Nunez continued this morning with their rehabilitation programs at the club medical facility and conditioning gym.

Meanwhile, flu kept Ali Bileyhi and Hassan Tembakti from traveling with the squad to Qatar for the match against Al Gharafa in the AFC Elite.

Spine details note that Savić suffered a leg bruise and was in the medical clinic, not taking part in team training in recent days, while Nunez has knee pains that prevented him from training.

Both players did not participate in Thursday night’s team training, contributing to their absence from the Riyadh derby against Al Shabab.

Before Shabab, Nunez missed the Al Khudod match on September 25 in the Roshen Saudi Pro League and the later match against Nasaf on September 29 in the Elite Cup group stage.

Nunez also skipped the King’s Cup clash with Al Adalah on September 22.

Since the season began, the Uruguayan has appeared in eight matches across all competitions, scoring four goals and providing two assists.

Separately, Sergej Savić is aiming to play his first Asian match following his contract renewal with Hilal through 2028, as the club announced last Sunday.

Savić has continued to star for the team since arriving in the summer of 2023, featuring in 106 matches across all competitions and recording 31 goals and 27 assists.

Hilal vs. Al Ittihad in a domestic transfer duel for Morad Hosawi

Al Hilal has entered a fresh domestic race with rivals Al Ittihad to sign Gulf midfielder Morad Hosawi from Al Khalij (Al Gulf) during the upcoming winter window.

Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiya reported that Al Ittihad had informal talks with Al Khalij to bring Hosawi in January, after Hilal voiced its interest through an official notice sent to Al Khalij.

Al Khalij reportedly refused to grant Hilal permission to negotiate directly, insisting that talks proceed first between club executives, given Hosawi’s significant midfield value and the strong form he has shown this season.

The 24-year-old’s contract with Al Khalij runs until 2029, which could complicate a departure, especially mid-season, according to the report.

Hilal’s agenda for November

The Saudi Blue will start November with an away trip to Al Gharafa on Monday, at the Second Bin Jassim Stadium, in the AFC Elite group stage matchday four.

Next, the blue club will head to Buraydah to face a team nicknamed “the Stars” on Friday, November 7, at King Abdullah Sports City, in the eighth round of the Saudi Pro League.

After that, Hilal will meet Al Fateh in back-to-back fixtures: in the league and in the King’s Cup, both under the Portuguese coach Jose Gomes.

The first encounter with Al Fateh after the international break is set for November 22 at the Kingdom Arena, followed by a rematch less than a week later on November 28 in the King’s Cup quarterfinals.

Between the Fateh fixtures, Hilal will host Al Shorta, Iraq, on November 25 at the Kingdom Arena in the Elite Cup group stage.

Humor time to close the playbook: If injuries were goals, Hilal would already have a trophy room full of them. Punchline 1: The physios are training like sprinters—every warm-up ends with a laugh as the trainer yells, “Next man up, and may the MRI be with you.” Punchline 2: When life gives you injuries, Hilal makes them into a stylish protective boot collection.