Nunez Back in Action: Hilal’s High-Stakes October Push Starts Now

Darwin Nunez’s fitness update

Darwin Nunez, the Uruguayan forward for Al Hilal, is confirmed to be ready for the clash with Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League. He has recovered from knee pain that sidelined him from training and earlier matches, and is set to feature in the next game after joining the club from Liverpool in the summer transfer window. In four appearances so far, he has scored twice and provided one assist, signaling a positive trend for the squad.

Upcoming match and head-to-head records

Al Hilal will host Ettifaq on Saturday, October 18, in the fifth round of the Saudi Pro League. Across 30 meetings in 15 seasons, Hilal has claimed 21 wins, Ettifaq just two, with seven draws. In terms of goals, Hilal has a clear edge with 62 to Ettifaq’s 24, underscoring the historical dominance in this fixture.

Inzaghi’s squad depth and competition updates

Coach Simone Inzaghi confronts a major squad challenge ahead of the Ettifaq clash, with 19 players unavailable, including 15 on international duty and injuries to Malcolm, Nunez, Joao Cancelo, and Abdulilah Al-Maliki. The plan reportedly includes using a number of youth players and orchestrating light training sessions and micro-manoeuvres in the days when senior matches do not clash with youth fixtures.

What’s next for Hilal and Koulibaly’s contract

The club has also made a notable personnel decision regarding Kalidou Koulibaly, with plans to renew his contract for an additional season. The talks have been progressing early, aiming to secure his presence for the 2026-2027 campaign while the team prepares for continued continental commitments.

While the league granted some rest-day extensions following Asian duties, not all requests were approved, with considerations about stadium availability and competitive fairness cited in some refusals.

Punchline corner

First line: Nunez’s finishing is so dramatic that even the goalposts are filing restraining orders for his shots. Second line: Inzaghi’s bench is emptier than my calendar on a Sunday—so good luck, coach, you’ll need it to outwit fate and a full international break.