Simone Inzaghi has put Al-Hilal on notice ahead of their third-round AFC Champions League Elite meeting with Al-Shamal, saying Ruben Neves will miss the match and that Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s involvement depends on training. The coach also said Martinelli’s fitness remains a concern after the Al-Qadsiah game, while Mohamed Mazhari needs rest.
The briefing matters now because Al-Hilal are heading into a crucial continental match with recovery concerns hanging over the squad. Inzaghi said the pressure of fixtures makes the recovery process vital and added that he is working hand in hand with the medical staff to keep pace with the coming games. That leaves the team balancing immediate availability with the wider demands of a packed schedule.
Inzaghi did not frame Al-Shamal as an easy opponent. He described Riyad Mahrez as a big star and pointed to Pablo Mari among Al-Shamal’s outstanding players, calling them a strong side with an excellent coach and players. He said he watched their last game and saw an organised team, a view that underlines why Al-Hilal cannot afford to treat this as a routine fixture.
That warning also sits beside a practical problem. Inzaghi said the upcoming meeting with Al-Fateh shapes how he manages his players, which means the decisions around fitness are not only about one night against Al-Shamal. For Al-Hilal, the next step is not simply getting through the match; it is doing so without deepening the doubts around Neves, Milinkovic-Savic and the players still being monitored.
