Simone Inzaghi explains Sabri Dhel substitution as Al-Hilal beat Shabab Al-Ahli
Al-Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi has explained why he substituted young midfielder Sabri Dhel just 28 minutes into his side’s AFC Champions League Elite match against Shabab Al-Ahli. The Italian said the decision was a precaution after Dhel received an early yellow card, rather than a reflection of his performance.
Al-Hilal claimed a 2-0 victory over the UAE club at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena on Tuesday, strengthening their position in the Western group. The result extended the Saudi side’s winning run in the competition and offered another sign of their ability to manage a demanding schedule while rotating players.
Why Inzaghi took Dhel off early
The substitution came as a surprise to some supporters. Dhel, a promising young player, was withdrawn in the 28th minute and replaced by right-back Mohamed Mahzari. Speaking at his post-match press conference, Inzaghi clarified that the midfielder’s yellow card shaped the decision.
“All the players were excellent, including Sabri Dhel,” the coach said, according to Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat. “After he received the yellow card, I substituted him so as not to risk him getting a red card. He is a young and promising player, and I urge him to put in more effort.”
In a match where Al-Hilal were seeking to protect their advantage and maintain control, keeping a booked player on the pitch carried a potential cost. A second caution could have left the team with ten men and changed the balance of the contest. Inzaghi’s move therefore reflected game management as much as personnel planning.
Al-Hilal control the contest and collect three points
Inzaghi praised his team’s overall display against opponents who had won their first three matches in the league phase. He said Al-Hilal controlled the game and described the victory as an important step forward.
The result was valuable not only for the points but also for the confidence it can provide during a crowded run of fixtures. In continental football, where travel, recovery time and tactical adjustments can quickly test a squad, a composed performance against an unbeaten opponent can be a useful measure of a team’s progress.
Al-Hilal’s approach also demonstrated the depth Inzaghi is trying to build. Rotating players can help manage fatigue, but it requires substitutes to adapt quickly and preserve the team’s structure. The coach said he had used the match to rotate some members of the squad because of the schedule, while acknowledging that injuries and absences had limited his options.
Injuries and rotation remain key concerns
Inzaghi listed Ruben Neves, Gabriel Martinelli, Crysencio Summerville and Salem Al-Dawsari among the players unavailable for the match. Their absence meant the coach had to balance his preferred lineup with the need to protect players and keep the squad fresh.
He also said Al-Hilal were continuing to work on their defending at set pieces. Dead-ball situations can be especially influential in tightly contested Asian matches, where a corner or free kick may decide a game even when one team has controlled possession. Improving concentration and organisation in those moments could prove important as the tournament advances.
The coach expressed hope that Al-Dawsari would be ready to return after the international break, along with the other injured players. The winger has had a limited role so far this season, starting only once and making two further appearances from the bench. An injury that began around the end of the 2026 World Cup has continued to affect his availability and recently flared up again.
Al-Dawsari’s return would give Al-Hilal an experienced attacking option and add flexibility to Inzaghi’s choices. Still, the club will need to manage his recovery carefully, particularly with domestic and continental commitments continuing to overlap.
What the result means for the AFC Champions League Elite standings
Al-Hilal now have nine points from four matches, having recorded three wins and one defeat. They sit second in the Western group, three points behind leaders Al-Ain of the UAE. The standings leave little room for complacency: another strong result could keep Al-Hilal firmly in contention for the top position, while dropped points would give the leaders an opportunity to extend their advantage.
For fans following the football campaign, the next challenge will be seeing whether Al-Hilal can maintain their form as the fixture list intensifies and injured players begin to return. Their victory over Shabab Al-Ahli provides a positive platform, but consistency, squad fitness and attention to set pieces are likely to shape their prospects.
Al-Hilal’s next test
Inzaghi’s explanation makes clear that Dhel’s early exit was a tactical precaution, not a punishment. The coach’s public backing of the youngster also suggests that Al-Hilal see potential in him, while the call for greater effort reflects the standards expected within a squad competing on several fronts.
The 2-0 win gives Al-Hilal momentum, but the wider prediction for their campaign will depend on how effectively they handle the weeks ahead. If they can keep key players fit, continue rotating without losing cohesion and sharpen their set-piece defending, they will remain well placed to challenge for the top of the Western group.
