Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, manager of Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal, emphasized the crucial importance of his team's upcoming match against UAE's Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, in the seventh round of the AFC Champions League group stage. In the pre-match press conference, Inzaghi stressed that the team's objective is to secure a victory, maintain their winning streak, and solidify their position at the top of the group.
Inzaghi said: “The match against Shabab Al-Ahli is important for us to maintain our lead in the Asian Champions League standings. We want to win and continue our winning streak to stay at the top of our group.” He added, explaining that the team's official qualification for the next round will not diminish the players' determination, saying: “Securing qualification doesn't mean we will go into the match without a strong desire and great determination to achieve a positive result.”.
The general context and Al-Hilal's Asian journey
Al Hilal, the record holder for the most AFC Champions League titles, enters this match comfortably leading its group, cementing its status as one of the top contenders for the continental title. This tournament is a strategic priority for the club, which seeks to reinforce its dominance on the continental stage, especially after the significant reinforcements the team has made recently. The match against Shabab Al Ahli, one of the strongest teams in the UAE league, represents a true test of the team's ability to maintain its focus and high level of performance under all circumstances.
The importance of the match and its expected impact
Despite already securing qualification, the match holds immense importance for Al-Hilal on several levels. Domestically, a victory would boost team morale before the return to the intense domestic competitions. Regionally, defeating the UAE league champions would enhance the reputation of Saudi football and reaffirm the dominance of its clubs. Internationally, every win in the tournament contributes to improving the club's and national federation's ranking with the Asian Football Confederation, which positively impacts their participation quotas in future editions of the competition.
Technical decisions and player rotation
Regarding the expected changes to the team's lineup, Inzaghi indicated that the pressure of the matches and fatigue necessitated some adjustments. He explained, "There will be changes to the lineup tomorrow, and this is due to fatigue, but our determination and resolve to achieve a great result are strong." Concerning the exclusion of striker Marcos Leonardo, Inzaghi confirmed that the decision was purely technical, taking advantage of the flexibility offered by the Asian Champions League regulations compared to the restrictions imposed in the domestic league. He said, "Excluding Marcos Leonardo is a purely technical decision. In the Asian Champions League, we have more flexibility and a wider range of player options, unlike the restrictions in the domestic league, which force us to make specific choices.".
