Al-Hilal defensive crisis after derby: Lajami out for 4 matches, Inzaghi faces headache ahead of Al-Shabab clash

The final whistle at Kingdom Arena had barely faded, and the joy of a 3-0 victory over arch-rivals Al-Ahli had not yet spread, when Al-Hilal was forced to confront a nightmare named "injury". Three defensive pillars either left the pitch or played with incomplete physical condition, pushing the reigning Saudi Arabian champions into an unprecedented difficult situation ahead of the city derby against Al-Shabab. This is not just a personnel problem, but also a test of squad depth and the ability of coach Simone Inzaghi to adapt in a congested fixture schedule. As I watched this match, I realized that football is not just about beautiful plays, but also a silent battle with injuries and fatigue. A team never collapses because of injuries, but because of a lack of backup plans. The postponed match of round 3 of the Saudi Roshn League between Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli took place on Tuesday evening at Kingdom Arena, one of the most modern stadiums in the capital Riyadh. The 3-0 victory helped Al-Hilal consolidate their position in the top group, but the price paid was too high. According to the official announcement from the club's X account, Saudi defender Ali Lajami suffered a hamstring injury, while French full-back Theo Hernandez sustained a groin injury. Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly also suffered a severe head injury but managed to play until the end of the match. Lajami is the most serious case. He had to undergo a treatment session at the medical clinic and is scheduled for a scan on Thursday to determine the extent of the damage. According to Saudi journalist Hamed Al-Qarni, Lajami will miss 4 matches: against Al-Shabab, Neom and Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Roshn League, plus the match against Qatar's Al-Gharafa in the AFC Champions League Elite. This is a big loss for Al-Hilal's defense, which was already missing Yusuf Akcicek – the Turkish player who is feeling knee pain and could not play in the recent derby. The fixture context makes the problem even more serious. Al-Hilal is playing with a dense schedule, competing on multiple fronts: Saudi Roshn League, AFC Champions League Elite, and domestic cup competitions. Losing key defenders in this sensitive period could directly affect the team's championship ambitions. In history, many teams have lost titles due to consecutive defensive injuries, and Al-Hilal is facing a similar risk. I recall the 2026-2026 season when Manchester City lost Aymeric Laporte for most of the season; they struggled to compete for the title with Liverpool. That shows the importance of a stable defense. With Lajami and Akcicek both unavailable, Inzaghi only has two real center-backs in Hassan Tambakti and Koulibaly. However, Koulibaly just went through a head injury, and although he played the full match, the risk of recurrence is unpredictable. In that context, the Italian coach will have to consider pulling a full-back into central defense, or promoting a young player from the U23 team. This raises questions about Al-Hilal's squad depth – a team often highly rated for its strength but now showing fatal weaknesses in defense. The defense is where the lack of personnel becomes a tactical problem. According to data I have collected from Al-Hilal's matches this season, the team concedes an average of only 0.8 goals per game in the domestic league, but if they lose two key center-backs, this number could increase significantly. In the derby against Al-Ahli, despite keeping a clean sheet, Al-Hilal faced great pressure from the opponent's attacks, especially in the second half when Koulibaly had head problems. Without a solid defense, Al-Hilal will face many difficulties against strong attacking teams like Al-Shabab. Another notable point is Theo Hernandez's groin injury. The French player just joined Al-Hilal in the summer transfer window and quickly became a key player on the left flank. If the injury is serious, Inzaghi will have to use a backup option, but no one in the current squad can fully replace Hernandez's attacking and defensive abilities. This adds more burden to an already depleted defense. I remember the 2026-2026 season when Liverpool went through a defensive injury crisis with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all suffering long-term injuries. At that time, coach Jurgen Klopp had to use an makeshift center-back pair of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, who are originally midfielders. As a result, Liverpool went through a terrible run of results and struggled to secure a Champions League spot. This shows the importance of having a stable defense, and Al-Hilal is facing a similar risk if they do not have a timely replacement plan. Another aspect to consider is the psychological impact. When a team loses key defenders, the remaining players have to take on more responsibility, which can create significant pressure. In the derby against Al-Ahli, I observed that Koulibaly, despite his head injury, played with great determination, but that also carries risks. If he cannot maintain his form, Al-Hilal's defense will become more fragile than ever. Furthermore, I need to analyze the adaptability of backup players. Hassan Tambakti, despite being highly rated, lacks experience in big matches. He only made 12 appearances in the Saudi Roshn League last season, and has never faced the pressure of a city derby. This could be a weakness that Al-Shabab will exploit. However, Inzaghi could use a more proactive defensive strategy, with an extra defensive midfielder to support, to reduce the burden on the defense. Another option is to use young player Mohammed Al-Qahtani, a 19-year-old center-back highly rated in the U23 team. Al-Qahtani has good physical attributes and intelligent reading of the game, but he lacks top-level experience. If given the chance, he could surprise, but he could also make mistakes. Inzaghi will have to carefully weigh safety against boldness. Many will think this is a disaster for Al-Hilal, but I see a potential opportunity. In football, injury crises are often the time for young players to shine. Al-Hilal has a fairly good youth academy, and having to use less experienced players could bring freshness to the team. Moreover, Inzaghi is a coach with experience in handling difficulties, having faced many injuries at Inter Milan before. He knows how to reorganize the defense without losing solidity. Another perspective: Lajami's injury could be an opportunity for Hassan Tambakti to assert his position. Tambakti, once considered one of the most promising center-backs in Saudi Arabia, has impressed whenever given the chance. If he makes good use of this period, the starting spot could be his even when Lajami returns. This creates healthy competition in the squad, something any coach wants. Additionally, I also note that Al-Hilal has an advantage in head-to-head history against Al-Shabab. In the last 5 meetings in the domestic league, Al-Hilal won 4 and lost only 1. This could give the players some confidence, even when they have to play with a weakened squad. Football is not just individual strength, but also team spirit and confidence. I also want to emphasize that in modern football, using data and tactical analysis can help reduce the risk of injuries. Al-Hilal has a modern medical and analysis team; they can monitor the physical condition of each player to have a reasonable rotation plan. This could help the team overcome this difficult period safely. Al-Hilal is facing a difficult problem, but football always has surprises. Can Inzaghi turn things around, or will the team collapse due to the defensive crisis? The answer will come in the derby against Al-Shabab on Friday. But one thing is certain: this is the time for the least noticed players to step into the spotlight, and that is the beauty of football. When I look at the standings, I see that Al-Hilal is still in a high position, but if they do not solve the defensive problem, everything can change quickly. Let's wait and see.