Inzaghi's Bold Call: Al Hilal's Goalkeeping Shake-Up Behind Bono's Shadow
19 December 2025
Inzaghi's Bold Call: Al Hilal's Goalkeeping Shake-Up Behind Bono's Shadow
Italian coach Simone Inzaghi has reportedly sidelined French goalkeeper Matéo Batuyet, who joined Al Hilal last summer, from his plans, according to the Saudi daily Al-Yaom.
The decision comes from the belief that Batuyet cannot adequately replace the absence of Moroccan Yassine Bounou while the latter is with his national team at AFCON, and the Frenchman also occupies a foreign-player slot.
Batuyet signed a two-year deal for 350,000 euros, with Lyon retaining a 20% sell-on clause on any future sale.
Since arriving, he has played just one 90-minute match and kept a clean sheet, as Inzaghi has relied entirely on Yassine Bounou.
Consequently, Inzaghi is expected to lean on the local duo Ahmed Abu Rasen and Mohammed Al-Yami, while the club also pursues Ahmed Al-Kassar from Al-Qadsiah during the winter window.
As the winter window opens, Al Hilal continues to seek a solid backup.
Punchlines: If saving goals were a sport, Batuyet would need a sign from his own highlight reel. Inzaghi’s plan is tighter than a Saudi scarf—one goal, one plan, one winner.
