Al-Ahli Prepares for Sundowns Challenge as Pusic Prioritizes Balance
Al-Ahli step into their Intercontinental Cup showdown with South Africa’s Sundowns knowing exactly what is at stake: survive, stabilise, and spark a run that can define their tournament.
This is no gentle group-stage stroll. Sundowns bring pace, fluid movement and a ruthless instinct on the break. Al-Ahli bring something else: a manager willing to gamble on structure and personnel to wrestle back momentum.
Pusic shows his hand
Marino Pusic is not hiding behind rotation for its own sake. He is going strong, but with a twist.
Edouard Mendy anchors the side in goal, the calm presence behind a back four that has been carefully assembled for this particular fight: Zakaria Hawsawi, Roger Ibanez, Merih Demiral and, in the standout call, new signing Saeed Bahoya at right-back.
Bahoya’s first start comes in a demanding tie, not a soft landing. Pusic throws him straight into a game where one mistake against Sundowns’ runners can flip the night on its head. It is a risk, but a deliberate one. Bahoya’s energy on the flank could be vital both in shutting down transitions and giving Al-Ahli an extra outlet when they push forward.
Ahead of them, the balance of the entire plan rests on the midfield duo: Valentine Atangana and Ibrahim Diaby. No frills, no hiding place. Their job is to close the gaps before Sundowns can find them, to screen Demiral and Ibanez, and to turn loose balls into the first touch of an Al-Ahli attack.
Pusic is banking heavily on their discipline. Sundowns thrive when opponents’ midfield lines stretch and split. If Atangana and Diaby move as one, Al-Ahli have a platform. If they get dragged around, the back four will be exposed.
Creativity loaded behind Toney
Higher up the pitch, the shape is clear: a 4-2-3-1 that can quickly morph into a wave of four when Al-Ahli attack.
Francisco Trincao, Galeno and Eduard Spertsyan form the trio behind centre-forward Ivan Toney, a line of creators and runners designed to hunt for spaces between Sundowns’ lines.
Trincao will look to drift inside, Spertsyan can dictate from central pockets, and Galeno offers direct thrust from wide areas. Together they give Toney the kind of service that can turn half-chances into defining moments.
Toney’s role is simple in theory, brutal in practice. He must occupy the centre-backs, provide a target when Al-Ahli go long under pressure, and be clinical when the ball drops in the box. Against a team that punishes wastefulness, his efficiency could decide whether this becomes a statement performance or a missed opportunity.
Walking the tightrope
Everything in this expected line-up screams one word: balance.
Bahoya and Hawsawi will be asked to judge every overlap, every surge forward. One step too many, and Sundowns will spring into the space behind them. One step too few, and Al-Ahli risk leaving their attacking trio isolated, forced to create magic without support.
The midfield pairing of Atangana and Diaby cannot afford to switch off. They will live in the shadows of Sundowns’ transitions, always one pass away from being overrun, always one interception away from launching a counter of their own.
This is the knife-edge Pusic has chosen to walk. A strong core. Brave full-backs. A creative band behind a proven striker. Enough control to withstand Sundowns’ pace, enough ambition to hurt them.
If Al-Ahli get that balance right, their continental run does not just stay alive. It gathers force. If they get it wrong, Sundowns have all the tools to make them pay.
