This Monday, Al-Hilal played the 7th round of the AFC Champions League Elite, Western zone, against Shabab Al Ahly in the United Arab Emirates. For this continental clash, Senegalese international defender Kalidou Koulibaly was not included in the starting eleven. The club’s technical staff decided to give him a rest as part of a gradual management of his playing time.
This decision comes after a heavy workload for the player. Koulibaly has just come out of a particularly demanding period, having spent nearly a month with the Senegalese national team. During this time, he participated in the Africa Cup of Nations, where Senegal was crowned African champion. A major success for both the player and his team, but it came with a grueling schedule, filled with intense matches, travel, and limited recovery time.
Upon returning to Al-Hilal, Koulibaly also had to deal with a foot injury sustained during his international commitments. This temporary unavailability required a gradual reintegration into the squad to avoid any setbacks and ensure he was in top physical condition. As if that wasn’t enough, the central defender faced a painful personal event: the passing of his father, which led to a few extra days away from the team. These circumstances prompted the technical staff to take a cautious approach in reintegrating him into the squad.
Cleared to return to competition, Koulibaly has gradually regained his place under coach Simone Inzaghi. He started in his first match back, then followed it up with a second league game against Al-Okhdood. After these two full performances, the technical staff deemed it wise to rest the player for the Asian Champions League match, aiming to preserve his physical condition and freshness for the important challenges ahead.
This thoughtful management shows the attention given to Kalidou Koulibaly’s health and performance, as he is seen as a cornerstone of Al-Hilal’s defense. The club seems to favor a long-term approach, ensuring that the player can balance international commitments with domestic and continental competitions while maintaining an optimal performance level. This strategy could prove crucial for the rest of the season, both for the Saudi club and for the Senegalese defender, who continues to play a key role in his team.
