Al-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi don praise his opposite number Georgios Donis well well, calling the Greek man great coach after he lead Saudi Arabia to glory for Arabian Gulf Cup Gulf 27.
Donis guide the Saudis to Gulf title last Tuesday, as dem beat UAE 2-0 for final. Na Saudi Arabia first triumph for that competition in 23 years.
Barely 24 hours after that victory, reports show say Saudi Arabian Football Federation plan to sack the Greek and replace am with Spain Roberto Martinez. But the federation quickly deny am.
Inzaghi turn to Donis during press conference before Saturday Clasico between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad for Kingdom Arena, for eighth round of Saudi Roshn League. Speaking for remarks wey Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat report, the Italian talk say: ‘I congratulate the Saudi national team on winning the Gulf Cup, and I congratulate Donis in particular, because he is a great and wonderful coach, and I also congratulate all the players on the triumph.’
Several of him own Al-Hilal stars catch eye for the tournament, and Inzaghi keen to single dem out. ‘I am happy with Mohammed Al-Owais wonderful showing in the Gulf Cup, and he is one of the important players who make the difference,’ he talk.
He add: ‘Nasser Al-Dawsari is a great player and a respected star. Last season he suffer injury wey affect am, but I am happy with the performance he dey deliver now.’
On returning internationals and whether dem go feature for Clasico, he explain: ‘We will assess their condition after today’s training to know the extent of their readiness to play the match.’
Attention then shift to derby. ‘It is the Clasico of Saudi football, and it is an extremely important match, bringing together the first-placed and second-placed teams, and we are ready for the match,’ he talk. He continue: ‘The pressure faces all the teams, and together with the technical staff we will assess the players output in the upcoming matches, to know how to manage the fixtures amid consecutive matches.’
Salem Al-Dawsari next for agenda, as the Italian weigh whether him star man fit feature after he shake off injury wey keep am out since start of season. ‘Today is the last training session, and after it we will see the readiness of all the players, and Salem Al-Dawsari and Theo Hernandez took part in training over the past three days,’ he explain. He conclude: ‘Salem Al-Dawsari is very enthusiastic in training after his return from injury, and after training today we will see the possibility of his presence as a starter or on the substitutes bench.’
Al-Hilal go into the clash with Al-Ittihad hunting another win to stay top. Dem lead table on 18 points, a single point clear of Al-Ameed in second.
Fierce battle no be every top-of-the-table clash be simple scrap for three points. Some dey reveal true nature of team and put coaches and stars to sternest tests.
That na exactly what await Al-Hilal for their clasico against Al-Ittihad, where chance look ripe for Jens Fiesing side to expose weaknesses of Al-Hilal still searching for convincing performance expected under Simone Inzaghi.
Fiesing don build distinctive collective at Al-Ittihad, switching between 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1 and 4-2-2-2 without team ever losing balance. Al-Ittihad defend as one block and attack with intensity. Dem mix quick transitions, exploit space and threaten down flanks, which make dem nightmare for any opponent.
Inzaghi ideas look limited, by contrast, against opponent skilled at defensive positioning and closing down spaces. The Italian lean heavily on attacking transitions. When Al-Hilal fail to find spaces dem need, their struggle to create chances and impose style become clear, even with squad packed with some of league biggest stars.
Question marks no stop with attack. Dem extend to some individual selections, foremost Kalidou Koulibaly, whose defensive level don draw criticism of late. Sticking with players wey no dey deliver expected returns fit cost Al-Hilal dearly against opponent adept at punishing mistakes, especially if Inzaghi fail to fix defensive flaw before Clasico.
What make fixture even more dangerous for Al-Hilal na say Al-Ittihad no need dominate possession to make difference. Dem fit hold shape and strike moment ball is lost or lines surge forward. Vicente variety of options go test Inzaghi too, forcing am to react to shifts for game rather than lean on single attacking plan.
Inzaghi, meanwhile, must prove Al-Hilal get clear collective identity and no be just collection of stars waiting for individual brilliance to settle matches. Victory might restore some confidence. But performance remain most important measure of team development and ability to compete.
That na why Al-Ittihad clasico fit be fixture wey go reveal Inzaghi project. Break down Al-Ittihad block, fix errors, and Al-Hilal go get important answer to criticism chasing dem. Fail again against Vicente organised system, though, and match become fresh evidence say Al-Hilal big names no fit hide technical flaws.
