Al-Ahli step into their Intercontinental Cup clash with Sundowns knowing this is the kind of night that defines a campaign. Win it, and the Saudi side ride a new wave of momentum. Lose it, and the questions return just as quickly as the pressure.
Marino Pusic has responded with a line-up that speaks of intent as much as caution. He leans on his biggest names, but not without a twist.
Bahoya thrown straight into the fire
On the right side of defence, Saeed Bahoya goes straight into the starting XI. No gentle introduction, no easing in from the bench. A demanding first start, against one of Africa’s most dynamic attacking outfits.
He slots in at right-back in front of Edouard Mendy, with Zakaria Hawsawi on the opposite flank and a rugged centre-back pairing of Roger Ibanez and Merih Demiral. On paper, it’s a back four built to absorb pressure. On the pitch, they will have to cope with Sundowns’ speed and constant probing in the channels.
Bahoya’s role is critical. He must lock down his flank while still offering enough support going forward to keep Sundowns honest. One misstep in transition, and Sundowns have the weapons to punish it.
Diaby–Atangana axis at the heart of the plan
Just ahead of them, Ibrahim Diaby and Valentine Atangana form the double pivot in a 4-2-3-1 that Pusic clearly believes can steady the side and launch them.
This pairing is the hinge on which the whole evening could swing. Diaby’s energy and Atangana’s discipline must knit together into something more than just two bodies screening the defence. They have to read Sundowns’ breaks, shut down counters early, then recycle possession quickly enough to release Al-Ahli’s attacking quartet.
Pusic is banking on their work rate and awareness to give his team the balance that has often separated winners from nearly-men in this competition. If they get dragged out of position, Sundowns will find the gaps. They usually do.
Creative trio tasked with unlocking Sundowns
Ahead of them, the attacking band of three has a very different brief: hurt Sundowns every time space appears.
Francisco Trincao, Galeno and Eduard Spertsyan are set to roam behind the centre-forward, drifting into pockets, swapping positions, and trying to pull Sundowns’ back line out of shape. It is a fluid trio, more about movement and angles than fixed roles.
Their job is not just to create; it is to constantly threaten. If they can turn quickly in transition and drive at the defence, Al-Ahli can push Sundowns back and relieve the strain on their own back four.
Toney leads the line
At the tip of it all stands Ivan Toney. A classic centre-forward, asked to do far more than simply finish.
He will need to hold up the ball, bring Trincao, Galeno and Spertsyan into play, and occupy both centre-backs. If he pins them deep, Al-Ahli’s midfield can push up. If he gets isolated, the whole structure begins to sag.
One chance could be enough for him. The question is whether the supply line will hold under the weight of Sundowns’ press.
The expected Al-Ahli XI
- Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy
- Defence: Zakaria Hawsawi, Roger Ibanez, Merih Demiral, Saeed Bahoya
- Midfield: Valentine Atangana, Ibrahim Diaby
- Attack: Francisco Trincao, Galeno, Eduard Spertsyan
- Centre-forward: Ivan Toney
On the tactics board, it is a clean 4-2-3-1. In reality, it will live or die on how well those lines move together. The full-backs cannot bomb on without cover. The midfield two cannot sit too deep and leave the front four stranded. The attackers cannot lose the ball cheaply and expose their defence to wave after wave of counters.
Sundowns thrive on pace and on the tiny cracks that open when a team stretches itself too far. Al-Ahli know this. Pusic’s selection shows he is not shying away from the fight; he is walking straight into it with a side built on balance, work, and just enough flair to change the tie in an instant.
Now the question is simple: can this blend hold firm when Sundowns turn up the speed?
