Italian Simone Inzaghi, the head coach of Al-Hilal's first football team, broke his silence to comment on the overwhelming anger that swept through the stands of "Al-Za'eem" (the leader), following the team's draw against Al-Taawon, in the match that brought the two teams together as part of the twenty-fourth round of the Roshan Professional League, which was held at Al-Shabab Club's stadium.

In official statements made through the exclusive broadcaster of the Roshan League competitions, the Italian coach tried to absorb the anger of the Al-Hilal fans, saying: "I fully understand the fans' dissatisfaction and sadness over the result, but we are working very hard within the technical staff to correct the course and quickly return to achieving the positive results that befit the name of the club.".

Declining results and increasing pressure

These statements come at a very sensitive time for Al-Hilal, as the team has recently faced a wave of harsh criticism directed at coach Simone Inzaghi due to a noticeable decline in the team's performance and results, both in the Saudi Professional League and in continental competitions. Al-Hilal has failed to secure maximum points in its recent matches, raising concerns among the club's fans about the team's chances of competing for titles this season.

The truth about Inzaghi's dismissal and the management's stance

Amid these events, foreign press reports circulated news indicating the possibility of a decision to dismiss Simone Inzaghi from his position as technical director of Al-Hilal, but reliable sources for “Al-Midan Al-Riyadi” settled the controversy, confirming that these rumors are not true, and that the administration still gives confidence to the coach to overcome this setback.

The context of the competition and the challenges facing the leader

It's worth noting that coaching Al-Hilal presents a significant challenge for any world-class manager, given the club's historical stature as the most decorated club in Saudi Arabia and Asia. Al-Hilal's fans are among the most demanding, accepting nothing less than victory, especially considering the club's substantial financial support and the high-profile signings it has made to strengthen its squad.

The current Roshan Professional League season is witnessing unprecedentedly fierce competition, making any dropped points a significant blow to the team's chances of retaining or regaining the title. Inzaghi faces a challenging task in the coming days to reorganize the players' technical and psychological strategies, ensuring a return to winning ways and silencing the growing chorus of criticism.

Al-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi emphasized the crucial importance of the upcoming match against Al-Shabab in the 24th round of the Saudi Professional League, scheduled to be held at Al-Shabab's home ground in Riyadh. This match comes at a critical juncture for Al-Hilal's league campaign, as the coaching staff and players are eager to overcome their recent setback and quickly return to winning ways.

In statements made to the official broadcaster before kickoff, Inzaghi was frank and realistic in describing the team's current situation, saying, "We are not in a comfortable position at the moment," clearly indicating his dissatisfaction with the team's recent results. The Italian coach added, emphasizing the necessity of securing the three points: "We must win to get back on track. We want to beat Al-Shabab, and we are fully focused." These words reflect the immense pressure on the coaching staff and players to regain the trust of the Blue supporters.

The Al-Hilal vs. Al-Shabab match takes on added importance as it comes after two consecutive setbacks for Al-Hilal. The team was held to draws in the last two rounds against both Al-Taawoun and Al-Ittihad, both with the same scoreline, costing them the top spot in the standings. This decline in results has made the derby against Al-Shabab a do-or-die "final" for Inzaghi's men, as any further slip-up could widen the gap with their rivals and make it even more difficult to reclaim the title.

From a technical and historical perspective, matches between Al-Hilal and Al-Shabab are considered classics of Saudi football, always characterized by fierce competition and excitement, regardless of the teams' positions in the league standings. Playing at Al-Shabab's stadium in front of their fans presents an additional challenge that demands high levels of mental and physical preparation. Inzaghi is well aware that winning the derby not only grants three points but also provides a tremendous morale boost for the players as they continue their journey in the remaining rounds of the competition.

On the fan front, Al-Hilal supporters are eagerly awaiting a strong response from their players to appease them after losing their lead. They believe that a victory against a tough opponent like Al-Shabab is the true gateway to getting back on track and proving the team's ability to overcome crises and return to fierce competition for the Roshan League title, which this season is witnessing unprecedented competition and high technical levels from all participating teams.

Bayern Munich's coaching staff has suffered another blow with the confirmation that Japanese international defender Hiroki Ito will be sidelined for an extended period, leaving the team in a defensive predicament ahead of crucial domestic and continental fixtures. The Bavarian club officially announced on Friday that medical tests revealed Ito suffered a hamstring injury, requiring him to undergo an intensive treatment and rehabilitation program over the coming weeks.

Details of the injury and expected absence period

In a press statement revealing the extent of the injury, Christoph Freund, Bayern Munich's sporting director, confirmed that the Japanese center-back will be sidelined for "two to three weeks." This timeframe means the player will definitely miss one of the most important matches of the Bundesliga season, as Bayern travel to face their arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund on Saturday in the "Klassiker," a match that often plays a pivotal role in determining the title race.

Doubts surround European participation

The repercussions of the injury extend beyond the domestic scene, casting a shadow over the Bavarian giants' European campaign. Doubts are mounting regarding Eto'o's availability for his team's crucial Champions League round of 16 second leg against Atalanta, scheduled for March. This match presents a formidable test for Bayern Munich against a tactically astute and physically strong Italian side, making the absence of key defensive options a worrying prospect for the coach.

A series of bad luck since joining

Hiroki Ito, 26, has endured a challenging period marked by physical difficulties since his move to Bayern Munich from Stuttgart in 2014. The Japanese defender has struggled to establish himself in the starting lineup due to a series of injuries that plagued him early on. In his first season, he only managed six Bundesliga appearances after suffering a painful broken foot that sidelined him for an extended period.

The current season was no better, as the player missed the first ten matches due to another foot injury, which made his career with the Bavarian club characterized by interruption and lack of continuity, which negatively affects his harmony with the team's defensive system.

International career and the impact of absence

Internationally, Eto'o is a key player for the Japanese national team (the Blue Samurai), having made 26 appearances and scored one goal. These recurring injuries have raised concerns among Japanese fans about the fitness of their star player, who plays for one of the world's biggest clubs, especially with upcoming international fixtures. Bayern Munich is currently working to find suitable replacements for Eto'o, as the team needs all its available players to compete on all fronts.