On Friday evening, all eyes of Saudi and Arab football fans will be on the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, the capital, as it hosts a highly anticipated clash between Saudi football giants Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad , in the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. This encounter, known as the "Saudi Clasico," carries more than just three points; it represents a battle for prestige and history, and a pivotal moment in the race for this season's league title.
Historical background and age-old rivalry
The rivalry between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad stretches back decades, as they represent the two major footballing giants in Saudi Arabia's largest cities, Riyadh and Jeddah. Their matches have always been a stage for intense competition, excitement, and high-level skill, and have featured some of the most prominent Saudi football stars throughout the generations. In the era of the Saudi Professional League, Al-Hilal has established a relative dominance in head-to-head encounters. The two teams have met 35 times previously, with Al-Hilal winning 18 matches, compared to 7 victories for Al-Ittihad, while 10 matches ended in a draw. The statistics also show Al-Hilal's attacking superiority, having scored 65 goals compared to Al-Ittihad's 40.
The importance of the match in the context of the current season
Al-Hilal enters the match at the peak of its form, sitting atop the league table with 53 points and maintaining an unbeaten record of 16 wins and 5 draws. The team, coached by Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus, aims to secure a victory to widen the gap with its closest rival, Al-Nassr, and move closer to reclaiming the league title. Al-Hilal boasts a constellation of international and local stars, led by Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, Portuguese maestro Ruben Neves, Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and the outstanding Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
In contrast, Al-Ittihad, the defending champions, are experiencing an inconsistent season that has fallen short of their fans' expectations, currently sitting in fifth place with 37 points. Despite being out of contention for the top spot, the team, coached by Argentinian Marcelo Gallardo, is striving for a positive result to restore confidence and improve their league position, especially as they aim to secure a place in next season's Asian competitions. The match presents Al-Ittihad with an opportunity to prove their ability to compete with the top teams and halt the league leaders' winning streak. The team is pinning its hopes on its star players, such as Frenchman N'Golo Kanté, Brazilian Fabinho, and Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah.
International influence and the focus of global attention
The importance of the Clasico is no longer limited to the local level; it has gained significant global prominence following the addition of some of the world's brightest football stars to the Roshan League. This match has become a window through which the world can view the development of Saudi football and its competitive strength. The encounter is expected to garner extensive media and fan attention from around the globe, further solidifying the Saudi League's position as one of the most attractive leagues on the international stage. The presence of players of the caliber of Neves and Mitrovic for Al-Hilal, and Kante and Fabinho for Al-Ittihad, adds extra momentum to the match and elevates it to a truly global sporting event.
