Al Ahli v Al Hilal in ACL Elite: The Key Battles | OneFootball

A place in the final of the AFC Champions League Elite is on the line when Al Ahli and Al Hilal square off at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah on Tuesday night.

The two Roshn Saudi League clubs breezed through their respective quarter-finals to set up an all-Saudi last-four encounter for only the third time in competition history - after Al Ittihad and Al Ahli in 2012, and Al Hilal and Al Nassr in 2021.

Al Ahli are chasing their second trip to the final and first since 2012, while Al Hilal are looking to make it through to their fifth showpiece in the past eight seasons.

Here are the key battles we feel will decide the outcome of this hotly anticipated all-Roshn-Saudi-League affair. Check them out.

Riyad Mahrez vs Salem Al Dawsari

Two of the most exciting wingers in the RSL who exert incredible influence on their respective sides. While they both line up on the left, the battle will be which one can have the greatest impact.

Both are in the top three for goal contributions in this ACL Elite campaign - Mahrez with 16 and Al Dawsari with 11 - and each found themselves on the scoresheet in their quarter-final victories to move to the top of the tournament’s goal charts, with nine.

Riyad Mahrez grabs opener v Buriram United to move joint-top of 2024-25 ACL scoring charts

Roberto Firmino vs Ruben Neves

Former Liverpool star Firmino stands to be something of an X-Factor for the Jeddah side. With the 33-year-old registered to play in Asia and not the RSL, he’s not only fresh but incredibly hungry.

Firmino’s five goals and five assists in Asia this season underlines his threat. So, the man who will be tasked with quelling the Brazilian’s form will be one of the best in the business, Ruben Neves. The Al Hilal midfielder was a crucial cog in the RSL champions’ title success last season – and that hasn’t changed.

Ivan Toney vs Kalidou Koulibaly

The England international has five goals to his name in his debut ACL Elite campaign – he has 19 in the RSL to sit second in the domestic scoring charts – and will act as the main focal point in attack for Al Ahli.

It will be up to Al Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly, then, to keep Toney quiet as the last thing the four-time Asian champions need is for the 29-year-old to get off the leash and prove decisive.

Al Hilal know all too well how damaging that can be after the former Brentford striker netted a hat-trick in Al Ahli’s dramatic 3-2 win at Kingdom Arena in February. Patently, they can ill-afford a repeat of that night upon such a huge occasion.

Edouard Mendy vs Yassine Bono

The two goalkeepers have been two of the very best since their respective moves to the RSL last season. Who can forget their epic battle last term for the division’s best goalkeeper award, which brought out the best in each of them week-in, week-out?

As it was, Bono edged the honour despite both custodians concluding the campaign with 15 clean sheets. While both Mendy and Bono were largely untested in their quarter-final victories, they can each expect a busy night on Tuesday. For sure, it could be their actions that ultimately decide who advances.

Matthias Jaissle vs Jorge Jesus

The rival managers are two of the best and brightest minds in the RSL, and their tactical battle will be an intriguing part of the night at Alinma Stadium. Both are perfectionists who like to play with a 4-2-3-1 formation to nullify opponents and maximise their respective sides’ attacking prowess.

Jesus, the reigning RSL Manager of the Season, will need to find a solution at right-back after it was confirmed that Joao Cancelo, who went off injured during Friday’s 7-0 win against Gwangju, will be sidelined for the rest of the season.

Undoubtedly, it represents a major blow for the Riyadh giants – for their continental quest and their bid to retain the RSL. Jaissle, meanwhile, will be looking for the more notable scalp of his young, yet impressive, coaching career. And, with it, a first appearance in a continental final.