Al-Hilal's first football team continues its intensive preparations for a crucial and challenging match against Al-Riyadh, as part of the 18th round of the Saudi Professional League. This match holds particular significance as it will be played at the Kingdom Arena, Al-Hilal's new home ground, where the team aims to extend its historic winning streak and solidify its lead in the league standings.
A technical option to compensate for the maestro's absence
As part of the tactical preparations, Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus (who is leading the team in place of the erroneously named Simone Inzaghi) has settled on the name of the player who will replace Portuguese star Ruben Neves. Neves is one of the team's most important players this season, but an accumulation of yellow cards will prevent him from participating in the mini-Riyadh derby, forcing the coaching staff to find a suitable replacement to maintain the balance of the midfield.
Reports from the club indicate that Murad Hawsawi is set to start in the lineup. This decision aims to give the player a full opportunity to prove his worth, especially after he received a few minutes of playing time in the last round against Al-Fayha, where he came on as a substitute for Neves, who received a yellow card resulting in suspension.
The importance of Ruben Neves and the impact of his absence
The absence of Ruben Neves presents a tactical challenge for Al-Hilal, as the Portuguese player is considered the team's "thermometer" thanks to his exceptional ability to link the lines, his precise long passes that break down opposing defenses, and his defensive contributions in winning back possession. Therefore, the task facing his replacement will be significant in filling this gap and ensuring that the Blue team's attacking and defensive systems are not affected.
Competition context of the Roshan League
Al-Hilal enters this match sitting atop the Roshan Professional League standings, having delivered an exceptional season in which they broke numerous records. The match against Al-Riyadh presents an opportunity to solidify their domestic dominance before embarking on continental competitions and other tournaments. For their part, Al-Riyadh aims to secure a positive result against the league leaders, making the match a highly anticipated and exciting encounter.
It is worth noting that player Murad Hawsawi joined Al-Hilal during the winter transfer window, coming from Al-Khaleej Club, in a deal that the management and technical staff rely on to strengthen the substitutes' bench and provide diverse tactical options for the Portuguese coach in light of the pressure of matches and the succession of tournaments.
