All eyes of football fans in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world are on the Kingdom Arena, where Al-Hilal's first team is preparing to host their traditional rivals, Al-Ittihad, in a highly anticipated match as part of the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League. This match comes amidst great public anticipation due to the importance of the three points in both teams' pursuit of the title.

Absences due to technical decisions and injuries disrupt Inzaghi's plans

The Al-Hilal coaching staff, led by Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, significant challenges ahead of the Clasico, with the confirmed absence of several key players. Among the absentees is Marcos Leonardo, the match against Al-Ittihad. This decision was made by Inzaghi, who opted to exclude Leonardo from the squad due to his continued individual training and failure to reach the required fitness level for a match of this magnitude.

Meanwhile, doubts have grown regarding Theo Hernandez's in the upcoming match. Although the player took part in part of the team's training session today, his physical condition is not yet at 100%. Simone Inzaghi is expected to make a final decision on Hernandez's participation within the next few hours, with strong indications suggesting he will either be absent or on the bench to avoid aggravating any muscle injury.

A morale boost with Malcolm's return

Amid these absences, Al-Hilal fans received welcome news with the confirmation that Brazilian star Malcom Felipe for selection. The player has shown a full recovery from the injury that recently sidelined him from group training in recent days. Malcom's return is a significant boost for coach Inzaghi, given his exceptional ability to make a difference in big matches and the diverse attacking options he offers, which the team needs to unlock Al-Ittihad's defense.

The importance of El Clásico and its impact on the league race

This match holds strategic importance that transcends the mere three points at stake; the Al-Hilal vs. Al-Ittihad encounter represents the "Saudi Arabian football classic," attracting widespread regional and international attention. Historically, matches between these two teams have been crucial in determining the league title race, with each side striving to assert its dominance and delight its fans.

From a tactical standpoint, these absences will be a true test of Al-Hilal's squad depth and Inzaghi's ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances against a formidable opponent like Al-Ittihad. A victory in this match would significantly boost the team's chances of competing for the Roshan League title, while any setbacks could complicate matters in the remaining rounds of the season.

Nestor El Maestro, the technical director of Al-Najma Club, commented clearly and with high sportsmanship on the heavy defeat that his team suffered against Al-Ahli Club by four goals to nil, in the strong confrontation that brought the two teams together as part of the competitions of the twenty-third round of the Roshan Professional League, which was hosted by Al-Inma Stadium.

Nestor El Maestro's post-match comments

Speaking at the post-match press conference, the coach refused to put undue pressure on his players, emphasizing the positive aspects of the match. "We played a strong game and performed very well at various points," El Maestro said. He added, praising his opponents, "We mustn't forget that we faced Al Ahli, the Asian champions and a team with a world-class squad. Nevertheless, I'm pleased with the fighting spirit my players displayed throughout the match.".

Turning point: fitness and expulsion

The Al-Najma coach provided a technical analysis of the match, explaining that it was divided into two completely contrasting phases. He stated, "The team played in two different halves; in the first half, the team displayed phenomenal physical effort, which allowed us to neutralize Al-Ahli's attacking threat. However, in the second half, specifically after the red card and the resulting numerical disadvantage, the players' physical performance noticeably declined, which is understandable against a team that dominates possession so effectively as Al-Ahli.".

Advanced Press Philosophy and the Brilliance of Ivan Toni

The coach concluded his remarks by emphasizing his tactical identity: "We play with an advanced pressing style, and my team played a tactically brilliant match in the first half. The conclusive proof is that Al-Ahly failed to score any goals during the first half, and we will continue to work in this way to improve performance in the upcoming matches.".

It is worth noting that the match witnessed a remarkable performance by English striker Ivan Tony, who led Al-Ahli to this resounding victory by scoring a hat-trick, taking advantage of the spaces that appeared in Al-Najma’s defense during the second half. Al-Ahli thus confirmed its determination to compete strongly in the Roshan Professional League, benefiting from the constellation of stars that the team includes, who make the difference in crucial moments.

Competition context of the Roshan League

This match comes at a time when the Saudi league is witnessing significant sporting activity and a rise in the technical level of all clubs, with matches no longer being predetermined, as demonstrated by Al-Najma's resilience in the first half. This result serves as motivation for Al-Ahli to continue their climb towards the top of the standings, while Al-Najma's coaching staff will work on addressing defensive and physical weaknesses to ensure they remain in a safe position in the league table.

German coach Matthias Jäissle, manager of Al-Ahli's first football team, expressed his immense happiness at his team's valuable victory over Al-Najma in the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League. This match coincided with Saudi Arabia's "Foundation Round" celebrations, adding a special significance to the win, which the coach described as coming at a crucial time in the fierce title race.

In the press conference that followed the match, Yasleh stated: "The match was a difficult and unexpected challenge, and Al-Najma team put on a strong performance and a distinguished defensive organization that made our task difficult for many periods of the match. They closed the spaces tightly, but the support of the Al-Ahli fans in the stands had a magical effect and helped us a lot to overcome the difficult moments and return with the three points.".

Special praise for the development of Atangana

The young German coach also spoke about the technical gains, praising the fighting spirit of the players, and specifically mentioning the player "Atangana," saying: "Atangana's remarkable development in training and recent matches is very reassuring. This development directly benefits the team and gives us additional and vital tactical options in midfield, which is what we desperately need in the next stage.".

Jeddah derby: A historic rivalry renewed

All eyes are now on the highly anticipated clash next Saturday, as Al-Ahli faces its traditional rival Al-Ittihad in the great Jeddah derby. This derby, historically known as the Red Sea derby, holds immense importance not only in terms of points but also because it represents a rich footballing legacy in the region. Matches between these two giants in Jeddah are considered among the fiercest derbies in the Arab and Asian world, always characterized by intense rivalry, excitement, and a massive fan presence that creates a vibrant atmosphere in the stands.

The race for the top spot and the challenges of the Roshan League

This latest victory holds added significance for Al-Ahli given the current standings in the Roshan League, a league experiencing tremendous growth and unprecedented global interest. Al-Ahli currently sits in second place, trailing leaders Al-Hilal only on goal difference, making every point in the remaining matches crucial. Coach Yassle understands that a slip-up in the derby could prove costly in the team's quest to reclaim the league title, especially considering the high level of performance displayed by Saudi clubs this season, boasting a host of world-class players.

Al-Ahli fans are counting heavily on the skill of their German coach and his ability to manage big matches, and to take advantage of the morale boost from the victory over Al-Najma and the brilliance of young players like Atangana, to decide the derby and try to take sole possession of the lead or continue to chase Al-Hilal step by step towards the podium.