ARABIAN FOOTBALL // SPORTING AUDIT September 2026

The 2026-2027 Saudi Pro League campaign has brought significant structural shifts for Al-Ahli Jeddah. Following recent competitive hurdles—including a narrow 2-1 defeat against Mamelodi Sundowns in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup’s African–Asian–Pacific tie—head coach Marino Pušić is actively rebuilding his squad layout to secure domestic and continental consistency.

The Post-Mahrez Era: Tactical Reconfiguration

Following the high-profile departure of Riyad Mahrez as a free agent, management moved to redesign the team’s offensive identity. Official lineups show Portuguese winger Francisco Trincão slotting into the attacking line alongside Ivan Toney and Galeno, offering new tactical variations to the vanguard. In central areas, the arrival of Armenian international Eduard Spertsyan from FK Krasnodar provides creativity and another option for linking midfield and attack.

Shoring Up the Midfield Spine

Further down the field, the integration of new midfield reinforcement Ibrahima Diaby brings additional depth alongside Ukrainian midfielder Artem Bondarenko, expanding the rotation options within a midfield that has notably featured Valentin Atangana and Ziyad Al Johani. Shielded by seasoned international goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and the defensive pairing of Merih Demiral and Roger Ibañez, Al-Ahli’s strategic rebuild focuses on structural durability to close the gap on Riyadh’s top contenders.

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