Brazilian Spark Rescues Al-Ahli: 2-1 Win Over Al-Sadd Sends Derby Signals

Al-Ahli Jeddah escaped another setback this season, and in the AFC Champions League Elite in particular, thanks to a Brazilian spark that powered them to a 2-1 win over Al-Sadd.

The victory came in the fourth round of the Elite Group stage, played at Al-Sadd's home ground, as Al-Ahli clinched victory despite a patchy performance.

What saved them were the individual flashes from Algerian Riyad Mahrez and Brazilians Roger Ibanez, Galeno, and Matheus Gonçalves.

Changes by Jaissle

The German coach Matias Jaissle rotated the starting XI, notably starting Feras Al-Breikan ahead of the English striker Ivan Toni. The manager clearly has one eye on the upcoming derby with rival Al-Ittihad, set for Saturday at the Al-Inma Stadium, in what is the eighth round of the Saudi Pro League.

The lineup kept Mahrez on the right and Matheus Gonçalves on the left to support Feras Al-Breikan up front. The nine also featured Valentin Atangana back in midfield alongside Franck Kessi, with Enzo Milot operating behind Toni as the number ten playmaker.

The changes extended to defense as Al-Breikan was supported by the rest of the back line, with Edouard Mendy protecting the goal behind a reshuffled defense.

Milot's Mistake

Jaissle repeated a mistake he has made recently: relying on Enzo Milot as a pure playmaker in front of Kessi and Atangana, instead of pairing a defensive midfielder with one of them.

Milot’s forward run left him isolated from teammates, especially as Kessi and Atangana struggled to recycle the ball with the required quality, something the French midfielder often does well.

This misstep deprived Al-Ahli of real attacking threat in the first half, with only a single shot on target that found the net only due to a defensive clearance and a rebound, rather than sustained pressure.

Brazilian Solution

After the equalizer, Al-Ahli pressed higher to close the gap between defense and midfield, but this high pressing invitation allowed Sadd to exploit spaces behind the back line.

Ibanez’s defensive excellence and Mendy’s goalkeeping kept Sadd at bay for a while, while Jaissle introduced Galeno and shifted Gonçalves into a more advanced playmaking role, enabling a second goal for the Saudi side.

Galeno operated on the left flank while Gonçalves drifted into a playmaking position behind Al-Breikan, and together the two Brazilians combined to put the ball in the back of the net for the decisive second goal.

Ultimately, Brazilian intervention paid off, as the pair linked up to deliver the decisive score and seal the win for Al-Ahli.

Alarm Bells

Jaissle must take a long look at Al-Ahli’s recent performances, particularly before the forthcoming Jeddah derby against a rejuvenated Al-Ittihad. The team remains blunt in attack and often vulnerable in defense, with chances few and far between and opponents punishing gaps between the defense and midfield.

Defensively, the team has shown more solidity than attack, and without better ball progression from the middle, the derby could be a tough test. The result, while welcome, does little to erase the questions hanging over the squad ahead of a critical run of fixtures.

Punchline 1: If football were a dating app, Al-Ahli’s midfield would be the guy who swipes left on every good chance—forever hopeful, barely committed. Punchline 2: The derby might be a reality check, but at least the alarm bells will have a louder ring than the stadium speakers.