Al Hilal face five-player shortage for AFC Champions League Elite clash with Al Shamal

Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi is expected to leave three players out of his squad for Tuesday's AFC Champions League Elite meeting with Al Shamal, with the Saudi club potentially missing five players in total. Al Hilal travel to Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor to face the Qatari side on 27 October 2026, in the third round of the league phase.

According to Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiya, Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves and Saudi full-back Mohammed Mahzari are likely to be rested as part of Inzaghi's squad rotation. Neves may not be the only central midfielder unavailable to Al Hilal.

Doubts also surround the Serbian Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, whose readiness for the match has not been confirmed. If Milinkovic-Savic is ruled out, Al Hilal's potential absentees against Al Shamal will increase to five.

Brazil winger Gabriel Martinelli is already sidelined with the injury he suffered during Friday's 3-2 victory over Al Qadsiah in the 11th round of the Saudi Pro League. Netherlands winger Crysencio Summerville will also miss the match.

He is serving a three-match suspension imposed by the Asian Football Confederation after being sent off against Qatar's Al Gharafa in the opening round of the league phase. The projected absences come before another demanding fixture for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.

Inzaghi's side host Al Fateh at Kingdom Arena on Saturday in the 12th round of the competition. Al Hilal go into the match fourth in the West Region standings, with six points from two wins.

Al Shamal are 11th with two points after drawing both of their opening matches.