Al-Ahli's absences against Al-Shorta of Iraq: 5 stars will miss the Asian elite match
Al-Ahli Saudi FC is preparing for a very difficult and complex test when they face Iraqi side Al-Shorta on Monday in the highly anticipated AFC Champions League group stage match for the 2025-2026 season. This encounter comes at a time when Al-Ahli is striving to reaffirm its continental prowess and continue its progress towards the knockout rounds. However, the circumstances surrounding the team could pose a real obstacle to the ambitions of Al-Ahli fans.
The absence of the team's backbone
Al Ahly enters the match with a significant blow to its starting lineup, as the absence of five of the team's key players has been confirmed. This puts the coaching staff, led by German Matthias Jäissle, in a real tactical dilemma. The most painful blow is the absence of the three foreign professionals: Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez, and Ivorian midfield dynamo Franck Kessié. These stars are unavailable due to their participation with their national teams in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament whose timing has historically impacted clubs with high-caliber African players.
Additional challenges and suspensions
Al-Ahli's troubles didn't end with international call-ups; they extended to absences due to suspensions, injuries, and tactical reasons. The team will be without Enzo Meo due to suspension, in addition to the absence of prominent local striker Firas Al-Buraikan. This shortage of attacking and defensive options forces coach Yassla to seek alternative solutions from the bench, relying on young players or those who haven't received sufficient playing time recently to compensate for the significant difference in performance.
The team's position in the tournament and the importance of points
Al-Ahli enters this match with 10 points, currently sitting fifth in the West Zone standings of the AFC Champions League. The game is of paramount importance, as a victory would significantly boost their chances of qualifying and avoid complicated scenarios in the final rounds. Meanwhile, Al-Shorta of Iraq is well aware of the absences in their opponent's squad, which may motivate them to play with greater determination in an attempt to snatch points or at least secure a positive result against one of Saudi Arabia's football giants.
Continental context and public aspirations
The revamped AFC Champions League is a pivotal stage for Saudi clubs seeking to dominate Asian football. For Al-Ahli, overcoming this hurdle despite absences would send a powerful message to rivals about the champion's mentality and the depth of their squad. Al-Ahli fans are eagerly awaiting how the team will handle this unexpected situation, hoping that the fighting spirit of the available players will compensate for the individual skills of the missing stars.
