Recovered Al-Hilal star left out of Simone Inzaghi’s AFC Champions League trip | OneFootball

Despite regaining fitness, Al-Hilal’s star forward has been rested for the next AFC Champions League away tie as Simone Inzaghi leans on rotation while the Saudi champions chase continental glory.

According to Goal.com, sources close to the first team say the player has fully recovered from a recent knock, and the staff intend to use the midweek break to keep him fresh for the upcoming domestic and continental schedule.

He will not travel with the squad for the forthcoming match, with Inzaghi prioritising protection over short-term gain.

The same caution marked the group stage, when several regulars were rested to prioritise long-term fitness. That approach paid off as Al-Hilal advanced comfortably and kept key players healthy.

With the knockouts now underway, the stakes are higher, yet the principle is unchanged, protect the most influential figures for decisive matches. The decision also signals Inzaghi’s faith in squad depth and the primacy of the collective pursuit of the continental trophy.

Source: Goal.com