Simone Inzaghi walked into the press room sounding like a man in a hurry. No time for dwelling on dropped points, no space for self-pity. Al-Hilal have a league game to win and a cup final to protect.
“We trained well yesterday, and today we’ll train after the press conference,” he said, as reported by Al-Riyadiah. “We’re trying to prepare as best we can, and I’m delighted that matches are resuming quickly to bring joy to our fans.”
Four days earlier, that joy had been dented. A 2-2 draw with Al-Taawoun at Kingdom Arena in the 27th round of the Roshen League checked Al-Hilal’s momentum and reopened familiar questions about focus and ruthlessness. Now comes Al-Khulud – awkward, organised, and suddenly a lot more than just a cup underdog.
League now, cup later
Al-Khulud stunned Al-Ittihad in the semi-finals of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup, reaching the final for the first time in their history and setting up another showdown with Al-Hilal. It is the kind of storyline that can distract a dressing room.
Inzaghi refused to let it.
“Tomorrow’s match will not affect the cup tie; Al-Khulud deserve to be in the final, but we must focus on the league fixture,” he insisted.
The warning is clear: treat them lightly now, and the consequences may arrive in the final. He knows what he is facing.
“They have the same manager, and in the winter they managed to make some changes to the squad. They are a well-organised team, and in their last match against Al-Khaleej they put in a good performance.”
This is not a one-off Cinderella story in his eyes, but a side that has quietly sharpened its tools and learned how to compete.
New faces, slow burn
January brought fresh blood to “Al-Zaeem”, but not instant transformation. Inzaghi chose to defend his winter recruits and reset expectations around them.
“Any player, especially those who joined us in January, needs time to settle into their new team,” he explained.
“Simon Boabri, Mohammed Qadir Miti and Sultan Mandash have joined us; they come from different backgrounds and need time to settle in.”
The message is as much for the stands as it is for the dressing room. Patience, not panic.
“As Miti mentioned before the Al-Taawoun match, it is natural that new players need some time to make the impact the fans are hoping for.”
For a club used to instant results and immediate stardom, that is a deliberate cooling of the temperature around the newcomers.
Benzema question hangs over Al-Khulud clash
The biggest unknown before facing Al-Khulud sits up front. Karim Benzema missed the Al-Taawoun match with a toe injury, and his availability remains in doubt.
“We’ll see how Benzema is today,” Inzaghi said. “And as for all the players who were out of the last match – such as Benzema, Salem (Al-Dossari) and Bouabri – we’ll see if they’re fit to play in tomorrow’s match.”
It leaves Al-Hilal planning for multiple scenarios: with their French star leading the line, or with the burden spread more evenly across the attack.
“Second-best attack” but room to sharpen
Talk of absentees quickly gave way to a topic Inzaghi was keen to tackle head-on: Al-Hilal’s firepower. He pushed back at any suggestion that his side lack cutting edge.
He pointed to the numbers. Al-Hilal own the second-strongest attack in the Saudi Pro League with 69 goals, behind only Al-Nassr on 76. The chances are there. The issue is what happens next.
“As for our attack, we are the second-best attacking line-up, and we have had plenty of chances; we must capitalise on them, as in the match against Al-Taawoun.”
The pressure finally lands on both ends of the pitch.
“But with increased focus on the defensive side and capitalising on the chances we create, we will improve; and despite the lack of time, we must improve.”
No excuses, no hiding behind schedules or injuries. A surprise finalist, a bruising draw, and a title race that leaves no margin: Al-Hilal either sharpen up now, or watch others write the season’s ending for them.
