Shield Under Fire: Can Al Hilal Shield the Backline Before the Al Fateh Showdown?

Tamabkti's Dilemma

Al Hilal fans fear losing their defender Hassan Tambakti twice ahead of the highly anticipated clash with Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League.

The match will be hosted by Al Hilal against Al Fateh, on Saturday, at the Kingdom Arena, in the ninth round of the Saudi Pro League.

The Saudi newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reported that Tambakti will undergo medical and fitness tests on Friday to determine his availability for the Al Fateh game.

Coach Inzaghi hopes Tambakti will return to bolster the side, especially amid a wave of injuries.

Double Absence

Ali Lajami is out with an injury for the match, and right-back Hamad Al-Yami as well as Muteb Al-Harbi are also sidelined.

Kalidou Koulibaly will return from suspension, easing some defensive concerns after missing the previous match due to suspension.

Tambakti's potential absence would be a double blow, especially with a lack of viable right-back options.

Joao Cancelo is not registered in the domestic squad list, while Ali Lajami and Muteb Al-Harbi are also out injured; Muteb had been used by Inzaghi on the right flank recently.

Tambakti, if fit, was among candidates for right-back, but his likely absence pushes Inzaghi to consider other options.

Al-Sharq Al-Awsat noted the coach is weighing using the young right-back Ryan Al-Ghamdi or Abdul Karim Darssi for that position.

Tough Choices Ahead

In central defense the coach weighs between Yusuf Akcişik and Ali Al-Bulaihi to partner Tambakti. Yusuf Akcişik is seen as the preferred option to cover any gap, though it would add another foreigner in the back line alongside Koulibaly.

If that happens, Ali Al-Bulaihi could be the solution, but he has been out of Inzaghi's plans this season, making a starting role unlikely.

Another option would be to deploy Ruben Neves there, though he has been used as part of a three-man defense rather than a single center-back.

The upcoming period is among the most delicate of Al Hilal's season, with title ambitions clashing with a brutal schedule and a raft of injuries.

Despite a strong squad and deep experience in major competitions, current circumstances could make the road bumpy. Maintaining pace at the top requires consistency, especially in the rounds before the decisive phases.

With the backline hammered by injuries, the coach may have to adjust the defensive shape multiple times, risking cohesion and the transition from defense to attack. A small slip could reshape the title race given the strength of rivals this season.

Knockout competition in the King Cup adds another layer, as matches are do-or-die and errors are punished. Al Hilal needs maximum readiness, sharp focus, and reliable substitutes for every game; missing a key player or a defensive lapse could end the dream early.

Champions League ambitions intensify the pressure, requiring top-notch technical quality and tactical concentration, along with a squad able to sustain a high tempo. Without certain names, the team could lose ground in the later rounds. Travel and diverse coaching influences further complicate the task.

Beyond the football, the manager faces a psychological and administrative test: keeping the locker room calm and players confident amid media attention and fan scrutiny. Al Hilal is used to trophies, but this legacy raises expectations to a ceiling that tolerates little slip, making the management of absences and injuries as important as the tactical plan.

Caption under image: Hassan Tambakti's fitness tests could decide Al Hilal's lineup against Al Fateh.

Sniper punchline 1: If this defense keeps holding, even the ball might start applying for a restraining order against the attackers.

Sniper punchline 2: Inzaghi's plan is so top secret that the offside line probably needs a warrant to be sure about its location.