Riyad Mahrez, captain of the Algerian national football team, finds himself sidelined in Saudi Arabia.
Al Ahli will face Al Raed away on Thursday night, as part of the 33rd and penultimate round of the Saudi Arabian league. Currently, Al Ahli sits in third place with a total of 61 points.
Last week, the club secured its spot in the 2024-2025 elite edition of the AFC Champions League, a new continental competition that has demoted the AFC Champions League to the second tier. On the other hand, Al Raed occupies the 12th position with 35 points, ensuring its stay in the Saudi Arabian top flight. This club boasts Algerian playmaker Amir Sayoud among its ranks.
On Wednesday, Al Ahli’s management announced the absence of winger Riyad Mahrez for this match, without providing specifics. The non-consequential nature of the game could explain the Algerian international’s omission. Footage from the video shows Mahrez’s absence during the delegation’s travel from the city of Jeddah to the Qassim region, specifically to the city of Buraydah.
Prior to the match against Al Raed, Mahrez had featured in all of his team’s 32 matches in the Saudi league this season, starting each time but being substituted in 16 games. He has scored 11 goals and provided 14 assists. His absence could be an attempt to preserve the player for upcoming challenges or simply a cautious management of his playing time.
The first leg between Al Ahli and Al Raed ended in a goalless draw last December, with both Mahrez and Sayoud starting. This latest encounter, although lacking significant stakes for Al Ahli, remains an opportunity for Al Raed to solidify its position and prepare for the next season in the top flight.
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