Demiral's injury: A blow to Al-Ahli before facing Al-Hilal in the Roshan League
While Al-Ahli Saudi fans were still celebrating their resounding victory in the Jeddah derby, the first team suffered a major blow that dampened the festivities. As German coach Matthias Jäsle basked in the glory of the well-deserved 3-1 win over arch-rivals Al-Ittihad at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (The Shining Jewel) in the 25th round of the Saudi Professional League, unwelcome news arrived from the club's medical clinic.
Details of Demiral's injury and duration of absence
The official medical report for Turkish international defender Merih Demiral revealed a significant injury: a torn adductor tendon. This injury is not just a minor bruise; it will force the Al-Ahli defensive stalwart to miss a crucial period of the season. According to medical and technical assessments, Demiral will be unavailable for the team's next two matches: the game against Al-Qadisiyah, and more importantly, the highly anticipated clash against league leaders Al-Hilal (the Clasico).
Yassla comments on the absence and the challenges of defense
Commenting on this shocking news, head coach Matthias Jäissle expressed his regret at losing Demiral's services at this crucial stage, especially after the team's heroic performance against Al-Ittihad. Jäissle emphasized that the team faces a series of vital matches, noting that the absence of a key player in the back line necessitates greater unity from the remaining players.
Despite the bitterness of the absence, the German coach expressed his strong confidence in the local players, praising the remarkable improvement in the level of the Saudi defenders and their ability to compensate for the missing players. He explained his philosophy regarding the league, describing it as a "long marathon" whose outcome is still undecided, emphasizing that the important thing is how it ends and that the team will fight in every remaining match to maintain its gains.
The impact of the absence on the upcoming Al-Hilal match
Demiral's absence is a significant blow to Al-Ahli ahead of their clash with Al-Hilal, as the Turkish defender is a key player in the team's build-up play from the back and in containing the opposing strikers. The Al-Hilal match is of paramount importance, not only because it's the Saudi Arabian classic, but also because of its direct impact on the league standings and the race for Asian Champions League qualification. The coaching staff will now have to find the most suitable replacement to partner Roger Ibanez in central defense to counter Al-Hilal's formidable attacking force.
It is worth noting that Demiral had delivered remarkable performances since joining Al-Ahly, contributing with his high fighting spirit to giving the team a clear defensive solidity in many major matches, making his replacement a real tactical challenge for the coaching staff in the upcoming rounds.
