Regarding Al-Gharafa, Inzaghi highlighted his familiarity with the opponent and their capabilities: "We know Al-Gharafa well; we faced them last season and are familiar with their players and coach. We also recognize the difficulty of the match, given that they possess fast players, so we must approach the game with focus and strength."

About the squad options and the participation of Saïmon Bouabré, Inzaghi confirmed the player will be among the available options, saying: "Bouabré will be available. We aim to utilize all fit foreign players throughout the tournament, and we will determine the lineup for the match after today's training session based on the players' readiness."

Inzaghi also touched upon the importance of a strong start in the continental competition, stressing that the team treats each match individually: "We reached the round of 16 last season and approach every game one at a time. Tomorrow marks our first match of the tournament, and we will work to assess the team's condition and prepare them in the best possible way especially considering we finished our match against Al-Taawoun just 24 hours ago."

Regarding the fitness of the players Ollie Watkins, Crysencio Summerville, and Gabriel Martinelli, Inzaghi explained that a decision on Watkins’s participation would be made after training. He stated, "Watkins is feeling some fatigue, and we will determine his availability following today's session, whereas Summerville and Martinelli are both fit to play."

Discussing the overlap of competitions and the congested fixture schedule, Inzaghi emphasized the players' ability to handle the demanding run of matches. He said, "The players are accustomed to a packed schedule, and the team's performance reflects the hard work being put in; we currently boast impressive attacking and defensive statistics. The match against Al-Gharafa will be our final game before the upcoming break."

Meanwhile, Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly stressed the importance of a positive start to the continental tournament. He remarked, "We have a crucial opening match in a major tournament ahead of us against a respected opponent. We must execute our game plan effectively on the pitch, and we are aiming for a victory tomorrow."

Addressing the pressure that accompanies the team's matches, Koulibaly affirmed that Al-Hilal players are used to handling such situations and turning that pressure into motivation to perform at their best. He noted, "No match played without pressure, and Al-Hilal is accustomed to it; in fact, pressure drives us to bring out our best. While falling behind in a match increases the pressure, we always strive to win, maintain our winning streak, and bring joy to our fans."

Regarding his recent form, Koulibaly explained that regaining his rhythm after the World Cup took some time, emphasizing his commitment to returning to his usual level. He said: "I am aware of my performance level; the period following the World Cup was challenging. We tried to bounce back quickly, but such things can take time. I am satisfied with my contributions so far, and I will continue working hard to get back to my best and bring joy to the Al-Hilal fans."