Three Crushing Blows Shake Al-Ahli's Fortresses

Injury Woes Mount as Al-Ahli Struggles Across Fronts

Al-Ahli Jeddah’s fortress has absorbed a series of blows, leaving it vulnerable as the team battles on multiple fronts. A difficult period unfolds on the back of a demanding schedule and intensified competition.

Ryan Hamid’s injury

In the latest setback, defender Ryan Hamid picked up an injury during the match against Al-Najmah, at King Abdullah Sports City in Buraydah, in the sixth round of the Saudi Pro League. The injury occurred in the 42nd minute, forcing Hamid off the pitch on a stretcher and bringing on left-back Zakaria Husawi in his stead.

German coach Matthias Jaissle was compelled to reshuffle the defense, moving Mohammed Suleiman Bakr to center-back alongside Merih Demiral while Husawi occupied the left-back slot.

That blow halted Hamid’s promising run, the third consecutive start for the player this season, and interrupted a period of solid form for the club’s defensive unit.

Roger Ibanez’s injury

Hamid started in the lineup as a stopgap for another injured defender, Brazilian Roger Ibanez. Ibanez had not trained with the squad since returning from a break the previous Sunday, undergoing daily treatment sessions instead.

Ibanez, a former Roma defender, has been struggling with an ongoing issue, which flared during the international break period dictated by Jaissle’s schedule. He missed the recent match against Al-Shabab (1-1) at Al-Inma Stadium and also sat out the favorable 4-0 win over Al-Gharafa in the ACL group stage.

The absence continued into the clash versus Al-Najmah, marking Ibanez’s third consecutive absence for the side this round of the league.

Ibanez’s importance and the defensive gap

Ibanez is viewed as a pivotal pillar of Al-Ahli’s success this season, contributing to their first trophy of the campaign—the Saudi Super Cup win in Hong Kong via penalties (5-3) against Al-Nasr. This season, the Brazilian has played 10 matches for Al-Ahli across all competitions, scoring once and providing three yellow cards, while also featuring heavily in the team's build-up play.

Since arriving from Roma, Ibanez has featured 88 times for Al-Ahli, scoring 11 goals and laying on five assists, and has been a defining presence in both domestic and Asian competition.

Ibanez’s absence leaves a noticeable gap in both defensive solidity and the ability to contribute on set-pieces, an area where the Brazilian had impressed with headers and timely forward runs under pressure.

As a result, questions arise about the shape and leadership of the backline, particularly in a season where the team has aimed to sustain consistency across multiple competitions.

Dams under the spotlight

With Ibanez sidelined, Jaissle could consider deploying Matteo Dams as a makeshift central defender, a move he has attempted before. However, Dams’ recent performances have sparked debate due to a series of errors that have cost the team goals and points in key fixtures.

The first critical mistake arrived just 48 seconds into his competitive debut for Al-Ahli against Al-Sadd in the AFC Champions League Elite, when a misstep on the left flank allowed Akram Afif to strike a soft grounder past the keeper. A second similar miscue followed in a league match against Al-Gharafa, with a handball decision that led to a penalty and the opener.

In May, Dams added another blemish with an own goal in a league encounter against Al-Khalee, further complicating his standing within the squad. Critics have called him a weak link, underscoring the risk of relying on a makeshift option in a club of Al-Ahli’s stature.

Several observers, including prominent figures in Saudi and Arab football, have questioned whether Dams is up to the demands of a club of Al-Ahli’s size, especially given the high expectations and pressure that come with competing on multiple fronts.

Last-resort solution and World Cup context

With Ibanez and Hamid both unavailable, Jaissle’s best-kept option might be to pair Mohammed Suleiman Bakr with Merih Demiral in central defense, with Bakr’s presence offering a familiar shield for the goalkeeper. Bakr had already established himself in the Saudi squad that qualified for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico after beating Indonesia 3-2 and drawing with Iraq.

Bakr has been in strong form since his promotion to the first team in the summer of 2023, featuring in six matches this season and scoring his first-ever Asia Champions League Elite goal, while also earning a place in the national team’s extended roster for World Cup qualification matches.

Additionally, Bakr’s inclusion in the Saudi squad mirrors the ongoing strategic emphasis on promoting homegrown talent to balance the foreign presence in a high-profile league.

While Al-Ahli’s supporters hope for a swift return to form, the club’s defensive unit faces a stern test as they navigate an intense schedule and mounting injuries. The season could hinge on how quickly Ibanez and Hamid recover and how effectively Jaissle can recalibrate the backline under pressure.

In the end, it’s a reminder that football is a team sport and injuries aren’t just someone else’s problem—they’re everyone’s problem when your fortress starts showing cracks.

Final note

The road ahead demands resilience, smart rotation, and perhaps a dash of luck. If Al-Ahli can weather the storm, the backline might hold firm; if not, the fortress could indeed look more like a sieve than a wall. And if Dams keeps taking risks, the headlines might start echoing, “Dams does it again”—just not in the way the team would hope.

Punchline 1: If injuries were a tactic, Al-Ahli would be the most studied team in the league—the medical staff would need a clinical trial and a larger bench.

Punchline 2: The only thing tougher than Al-Ahli’s schedule is the team’s ability to keep a clean sheet with half its defense on the bench. Talk about a DIY defensive remodel—just add coffee and more subs!