New Test for Al-Ahli as Bosic Unleashes Attacking Trident

Mario Bosic has gone on the front foot.

For Al-Ahli’s fifth-round clash in the Saudi league against Al-Riyadh this Friday, the coach has rolled out an aggressive line-up built around a bold attacking trio: Francisco Trincao, Wenderson Galeno and Ivan Toney. No hiding, no caution. This is a side picked to hurt the opposition.

Edouard Mendy anchors the team from goal, with a back line of Rayan Hamed, Mohammed Bakr, Roger Ibanez and Saad Bulaihid in front of him. Valentin Atangana and Artem Bondarenko form the core in midfield, tasked with both shielding and launching attacks, while Edward Spertsyan links play to the front three.

Al-Ahli’s XI

Edouard Mendy; Rayan Hamed, Mohammed Bakr, Roger Ibanez, Saad Bulaihid; Valentin Atangana, Artem Bondarenko; Edward Spertsyan; Francisco Trincao, Wenderson Galeno, Ivan Toney.

Across from them, Al-Riyadh have named a side that suggests resilience and structure, looking ready to absorb pressure and strike when the gaps appear.

Milan Borjan starts in goal, protected by Sultan Al-Aisa, Abdulelah Al-Khaibari, Rodrigo Abascal and Sulaiman Hazazi. Fahad Jizani and Victor Lekhal sit in midfield, with Teddy Okou, Issam Bahri and Hassan Al-Ali supporting the lone forward Antonis.

Al-Riyadh’s XI

Milan Borjan; Sultan Al-Aisa, Abdulelah Al-Khaibari, Rodrigo Abascal, Sulaiman Hazazi; Fahad Jizani, Victor Lekhal; Teddy Okou, Issam Bahri, Hassan Al-Ali; Antonis.

One side loaded with firepower, the other built on balance and resistance. For Bosic and his new-look Al-Ahli, this is not just another league fixture. It is an early measure of how far this ambitious project can really go.