Al Ahli are showing signs of recovery after a difficult start to the Saudi Pro League season, but the injury crisis surrounding the squad remains the defining challenge for coach Marino Pusic. The 3-2 victory over Al-Fayha in Matchday 10 lifted the Jeddah club to fifth in the table with 18 points from nine games, continuing a positive run of results since the last international break. Artem Bondarenko scored twice and Firas Al-Buraikan added the third to seal the win, though the match was not without concern as another player joined an already stretched injury list during the game.

The fitness situation is serious. Ivan Toni, the league's top scorer with 11 goals, has been sidelined through injury, and the squad has suffered multiple setbacks in recent weeks. With Toni absent, the burden of attacking output falls on Francesco Trincao and Al-Buraikan, who have stepped up but cannot fully replace the Englishman's influence. The depth of the squad is being tested at a critical point in the campaign.

The scheduled Matchday 11 home fixture against Al Khaleej has been postponed due to logistical travel issues affecting clubs across the league. That delay gives Pusic more time to assess his available players, but it also disrupts the rhythm the team has been building. With the title race still wide open and Al Ahli sitting just outside the top four, the coming weeks will determine whether this squad can sustain a genuine challenge.