Al Ahli steadied themselves with a 3-1 victory over Al Hazem on Friday, a result that moved them to fifth in the Saudi Pro League with 12 points from seven games. The win brought some relief after a turbulent start to the 2026-27 season, though it did little to silence the growing debate around coach Marino Busicic. Goals from Francisco Trincao and a brace from Ivan Toni secured the three points, with Toni now leading the league's scoring charts with 10 goals, a rare individual bright spot in what has been a difficult opening stretch.

The win followed a 3-2 defeat to Al Qadisiyah in matchday six, a result that had intensified calls for Busicic's dismissal. Saudi media and fan debate has drawn comparisons to the departure of former coach Mattias Jaissle, with some commentators suggesting a similar scenario could unfold. Busicic himself has acknowledged problems within the squad, though his public comments have done little to ease the pressure building around his position.

Off the pitch, the club's summer transfer window drew criticism after the departure of key players and the arrival of less prominent replacements, a situation that contributed to the earlier sacking of sporting director Rui Pedro Braz. New signing Artem Bondarenko has also attracted attention for off-field reasons rather than performances.

Al Ahli face Pakhtakor Tashkent in the AFC Champions League Elite on September 14, a continental test that arrives at a fragile moment for the club.