AFC Champions League: Rahimi-Laba and Koulibaly-Bounou, a firepower duo against an iron-clad defence

Al Ain now face another Saudi club packed with stars. In the previous round, the quarter-finals, the Emirati side had already taken the scalp of Al Nassr and their superstars Sadio Mané and Cristiano Ronaldo. It was a feat largely down to Soufiane Rahimi. The Moroccan attacking midfielder, without his strike partner, the Togolese Kodjo Laba, who was injured at the time, took matters into his own hands. In the first leg he scored the only goal of the match (1-0) and in the return he netted his side's first two goals (4-3) before sending them on their way in the penalty shoot-out. Tonight the former Raja Casablanca star will try to bring down Al Hilal, the best Saudi club at present.

Rahimi-Laba, a reunited duo

The competition's current top scorer with 8 goals, Soufiane Rahimi will benefit from the return of his sidekick Kodjo Laba. The Togolese, formerly of RS Berkane and the Moroccan faced each other several times in the Botola before teaming up as a fiery attacking duo in Asia. Laba (6 goals), who was injured in the quarter-finals, was the top scorer in the AFC Champions League in the group stage with 5 goals. The pair will need to be at more than 100% to get past Al Hilal. The Saudi club are currently unstoppable. More balanced than Al-Nassr, the Blue Waves have swept all before them since 21 September 2023. They are on an impressive run of 36 consecutive wins in all competitions.

Koulibaly-Bounou, a golden duo

While the Brazilian Malcom and the Serbian Mitrovic deliver the goals up front, at the back there are two African stars who stop opponents scoring: the Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly and the Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. In Europe, both players were among the best in their positions. Since arriving in Saudi Arabia, they have been writing one of the finest chapters in Asian football. Winners of the Saudi Super Cup last Thursday, they are cruising towards the league title and fighting for a place in the Champions League final, a competition in which they have won their last 9 matches.