Al-Hilal's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, has announced the official lineup for the highly anticipated derby against arch-rivals Al-Ittihad, in the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League. All eyes of Saudi and Arab football fans are on the Kingdom Arena for this exciting and competitive match.
Jesus's selections reflected the "Leader's" desire to continue his impressive winning streak and secure his place at the top of the league table. The starting lineup included a constellation of the team's most prominent local and international stars, and was as follows:
- Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou
- Defense: Saud Abdulhamid, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ali Al-Bulaihi, Yasser Al-Shahrani
- Midfield: Ruben Neves, Sergej Savic, Mohamed Kanno
- Forwards: Malcom Felipe, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Salem Al-Dawsari
Historical context and the importance of El Clásico
The Al-Hilal vs. Al-Ittihad match, known as the "Saudi Clasico," is one of the oldest and fiercest rivalries in the history of sports in the region. The rivalry between these two giants stretches back decades, during which Saudi stadiums have witnessed unforgettable chapters of skill, passion, and historic goals. The importance of the match extends far beyond the three points; it represents a battle for football supremacy and the pride of the fans in the cities of Riyadh and Jeddah.
The match's impact on the league's course
Al-Hilal enters this match comfortably atop the Roshan League standings, aiming for another victory that would bring them closer than ever to clinching the title. A win in this derby would be a significant morale boost for their rivals and would further solidify the team's dominance this season. Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad, the defending champions, are striving for a positive result to restore confidence and improve their position in the league table, especially after a turbulent season marked by inconsistent performances. A victory against the league leaders would provide a tremendous boost for coach Marcelo Gallardo's squad as they seek to finish the season in a high position.
The global dimension of facing the stars
This season's Clasico has gained an added global dimension thanks to the presence of some of the world's brightest football stars on both teams. While Al-Hilal boasts players like Coulibaly, Neves, and Mitrovic, Al-Ittihad features stars such as Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, and Fabinho. This star-studded lineup has made the match a focus of global media attention and attracts fans from around the world, further enhancing the image and brand strength of the Saudi Professional League as one of the most attractive leagues on the international stage.
