In controversial statements, Uruguayan Daniel Carreño, the manager of Al-Riyadh Club, commented on the positive draw achieved by his team against the league leader, Al-Hilal Club, with a score of one goal to one, in the match that brought the two teams together on the grounds of Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium (Al-Malaz), as part of the competitions of the eighteenth round of the Saudi Professional League.
The context and importance of the match
Al-Riyadh entered this match seeking a positive result to improve their position in the standings and move away from the relegation zone, while Al-Hilal, the title favorites, aimed to continue their winning streak and widen the gap at the top of the table. Historically, Al-Hilal holds a commanding advantage in head-to-head encounters, making the task for Carreno's team seem daunting on paper. However, Al-Riyadh managed to secure a valuable point, considered a significant morale booster, especially as it came against one of the league's strongest teams.
Carreno's analysis of the match
During the post-match press conference, Carreno revealed the difficulties his team faced, saying, "In the first half, the wind was in Al-Hilal's favor, so we struggled with our attacks." He added a pivotal point that sparked a refereeing debate, stating, "I expected the referee to call a foul before Al-Hilal's first goal." This statement casts doubt on the legitimacy of Al-Hilal's goal, which could open the door to further discussion about refereeing performances in upcoming rounds.
Carreno continued his account of the match, saying, “After Al-Riyadh equalized, we defended, but we suffered a red card, and Al-Hilal made the game difficult for us.” The veteran coach pointed out that his team was forced to play a purely defensive style after the sending-off, which increased Al-Hilal's pressure in the remaining minutes. However, the team's solid defense and good organization prevented any change to the score.
Luck and a fair result
Carreno, who has extensive experience in Saudi football after previously coaching Al-Nassr, did not overlook the role of luck, believing it played a part in the match's outcome. He said, "In many matches, luck wasn't on our side, but today it was, and in my opinion, the result is fair." This statement reflects his conviction that his team deserved the point for the fighting spirit displayed by the players throughout the ninety minutes.
The impact of the result on both teams
This draw gives Al-Riyadh a huge morale boost in their league campaign, as securing a point against the league leaders strengthens the confidence of the players and coaching staff in their ability to achieve better results in the future. As for Al-Hilal, despite the draw, they still maintain their comfortable lead at the top of the table, and this result may serve as a wake-up call for the team to maintain their focus in the upcoming matches, which appear relatively easy.
