Inzaghi's Al-Hilal Ready for AFC Champions League Elite Opener
Al-Hilal step back onto the continental stage on Tuesday night with the weight of history on their shoulders and a major question mark over one of their star forwards.
Simone Inzaghi confirmed on Monday that English striker Ollie Watkins is in a race against time to make the squad for the AFC Champions League Elite opener against Qatar’s Al-Gharafa at Kingdom Arena, with his involvement hinging on the final training session.
“Whether (Ollie) Watkins participates or not will be decided after today's training,” the Italian said, keeping his cards close to his chest. What is clear, though, is that Al-Hilal intend to attack the competition with full force.
A tournament “dear to our hearts”
Sitting alongside Kalidou Koulibaly in the pre-match press conference, Inzaghi did not try to play down the stakes. This is not just another group game for the four-time Asian champions.
“This is a big tournament and dear to our hearts, and in today's training we are aiming to prepare well to play our first match in it,” he said, underlining how seriously his squad treat the AFC Champions League Elite.
The draw has handed them a familiar opponent. Al-Gharafa stood in their way last season, and the Qatari side arrive in Riyadh with continuity on their side.
“We know Al-Gharafa well, we faced them last year, and they have almost the same coach and players,” Inzaghi noted. “They have fast forwards, and we will enter the match with full ferocity.”
Fast attackers, a settled core, and the memory of last year’s meetings. Al-Hilal know exactly what is coming.
No time to breathe
The schedule has been unforgiving. Al-Hilal only emerged from a clash with Al-Taawoun 48 hours ago, yet they remain top of the Roshn League and statistically the standout side at both ends of the pitch.
“We think about each match on its own, and tomorrow is our first match in the tournament,” Inzaghi said. “We came out of the meeting with Al-Taawoun 48 hours ago, and we will aim to win the match.”
The load has not rattled his dressing room.
“The players are used to the pressure, we played 3 consecutive matches, and despite that we are still top of the league table,” he added.
That domestic dominance gives him confidence. “We are the best team on both the attacking and defensive fronts (in the Roshn League), and tomorrow we will open a new chapter in the Asian tournament.”
A new chapter – but written with the old expectation that surrounds Asia’s most decorated club.
Squad decisions and attacking options
Injuries have forced some decisions, but they have also handed Inzaghi clarity. One boost comes in defence and midfield balance: “(Simon) Bouabre will be available for the match, and we will aim to use all available players in this tournament,” he confirmed.
The wide areas look well stocked. Whatever happens with Watkins, Al-Hilal will not be short of firepower on the flanks.
“(Crysencio) Summerville and (Gabriel) Martinelli will feature in the game,” Inzaghi said, guaranteeing minutes for two of his most direct and dangerous attackers.
Watkins, then, is the final piece of the attacking puzzle. If he passes his late fitness check, Al-Hilal’s frontline suddenly looks formidable. If he does not, the responsibility shifts more heavily onto Summerville and Martinelli to stretch Al-Gharafa and punish any space.
Haunted by Al-Sadd, driven by history
Al-Hilal walk into this campaign with a mix of pride and unfinished business. Their last AFC Champions League Elite run ended in the quarter-finals, knocked out on penalties by Qatar’s Al-Sadd. For a club with four continental titles, that exit still stings.
They remain the benchmark in Asia, the team everyone measures themselves against. The record books say they are kings of this competition. The recent memory of that shootout defeat says they have a point to prove.
Now comes Al-Gharafa, a familiar Qatari hurdle, under the Riyadh lights. The question is simple: will Watkins be fit enough to join the fight, and can Al-Hilal turn their domestic supremacy into another deep run on the continent?
