Inzaghi Faces Watkins Dilemma as Al-Hilal Launch AFC Campaign
Simone Inzaghi wants a statement start in Asia. He might have to do it without his main English striker.
On the eve of Al-Hilal’s AFC Champions League Elite opener against Qatar’s Al-Gharafa at Kingdom Arena, the Italian coach admitted Ollie Watkins remains a doubt and will only be cleared – or ruled out – after the final training session.
“Whether (Ollie) Watkins participates or not will be decided after today's training,” Inzaghi said, leaving a key selection call hanging over tomorrow night’s first-round clash.
What is not in doubt is the weight he places on this competition. Speaking alongside Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly, Inzaghi underlined how much the Asian stage matters to a squad still stung by last season’s exit.
“This is a big tournament and dear to our hearts,” he said, explaining that Monday’s session was built around sharpening the team for their first step in the league phase.
Familiar foe, unforgiving schedule
Al-Hilal are not walking into the unknown. Al-Gharafa are a familiar face.
“We know Al-Gharafa well, we faced them last year,” Inzaghi reminded reporters. “They have almost the same coach and players, they have fast forwards, and we will enter the match with full ferocity.”
The schedule has been brutal. Al-Hilal only emerged from a league meeting with Al-Taawoun 48 hours earlier, yet they remain top of the Roshn League and statistically the standout side at both ends of the pitch.
“The players are used to the pressure, we played 3 consecutive matches, and despite that we are still top of the league table,” he said. “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.”
For Inzaghi, that means blocking out the bigger picture and treating this as a one-off battle.
“We think about each match on its own, and tomorrow is our first match in the tournament,” he said. “We came out of the meeting with Al-Taawoun 48 hours ago, and we will aim to win the match.”
Injury updates and attacking options
There was at least one piece of good news. (Simon) Bouabre is back in contention.
“(Simon) Bouabre will be available for the match, and we will aim to use all available players in this tournament,” Inzaghi confirmed, hinting at rotation and depth being crucial over the course of the campaign.
While Watkins’ involvement hangs in the balance, two other attacking names are locked in. (Crysencio) Summerville and (Gabriel) Martinelli will both feature, giving Al-Hilal pace and incision in wide areas whether the English forward starts or not.
Chasing redemption in a favourite competition
Al-Hilal step into this year’s AFC Champions League Elite as the competition’s most decorated club, with four titles to their name. The badge carries history, but also a bruise.
Last season ended in the quarter-finals, knocked out by Qatar’s Al-Sadd on penalties. That memory lingers in the background as they prepare to face another Qatari side, this time at home, this time with something to prove.
A new format, a new campaign, the same expectation: Al-Hilal are built to contend for this trophy. Whether Watkins is fit enough to join the first push will be known only after the lights go out on training – and before they come up on Kingdom Arena.
