Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi has named Sultan Mandash in the starting line-up for Thursday’s Roshn Saudi League meeting with Al Feiha, handing the winger an opportunity to fill the attacking role vacated by Malcom’s departure.
The match, which forms part of the second round of the professional league, will be Al Hilal’s first test since the Brazilian winger left the club. Inzaghi has otherwise kept faith with the side that started their previous game, making Mandash the only change to the team.
Al Hilal’s starting line-up is:
Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou
Defenders: Moteb Al-Harbi, Ali Lajami, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mohammed Al-Mahzari
Midfielders: Mohammed Kanno, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Forwards: Crysencio Summerville, Karim Benzema, Sultan Mandash
Inzaghi will hope Mandash can provide the attacking threat previously supplied by Malcom, with the winger given a starting opportunity to demonstrate that he can occupy the position during the next stage of Al Hilal’s campaign.
The decision represents a significant chance for Mandash, who has been selected from the outset rather than introduced from the bench. His performance will be closely watched as Al Hilal assess their options following the Brazilian’s departure.
The club have further alternatives available among the substitutes, giving Inzaghi additional attacking solutions during the match.
Al Hilal began their league campaign with victory over Al Faisaly and are aiming to make it two wins from two against Al Feiha. The team’s overall structure remains familiar, with the coach choosing not to make wider changes after the opening fixture.
Particular attention will be focused on the front three of Summerville, Benzema and Mandash. Al Hilal will be looking to preserve their attacking strength, continue collecting points and see how effectively the team adapts to the only enforced alteration caused by Malcom’s exit.
The change comes after Malcom spoke about his departure, with the former Al Hilal player saying: “What bothers me is the lack of gratitude!”
