Italian Simone Inzaghi, the coach of Al-Hilal, expressed his great happiness with the valuable victory achieved by his team over traditional rival Al-Nasr in the exciting Riyadh derby, stressing that the three points came after a difficult football battle that required a great mental and physical effort from all members of the team.
The Riyadh derby holds special significance that transcends local competition, serving as a showcase for Saudi football, which is experiencing unprecedented development and attracting some of the world's top stars. This match comes within a long history of fierce rivalry between the capital's two giants, with Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr encounters always representing a crucial turning point in the race for the Saudi Professional League title. This places immense pressure on the coaching staff and players to deliver their best performance in front of the massive crowds.
Speaking at the post-match press conference following the 15th round fixture, Inzaghi noted that the game was complicated after his team conceded an early goal. However, the leadership qualities of Al-Hilal's players and their extensive experience in handling big matches proved decisive in turning the game around. The coach praised the tactical discipline and fighting spirit displayed by the team in maintaining their historic winning streak, marking their 19th consecutive victory – a testament to the club's technical and administrative stability.
The Italian coach addressed the challenges the team faces due to absences, emphasizing his complete confidence in Pablo Mari's ability to fill the void left by veteran defender Kalidou Koulibaly. Inzaghi affirmed that Al-Hilal possesses a strong bench, allowing them flexibility across various competitions, and indicated that Pablo has the potential to be a key player in upcoming matches, both domestically and in the AFC Champions League.
Inzaghi concluded his remarks by thanking the Al-Hilal club management for their continued support, stressing that the team is determined to continue fighting on all fronts to achieve the aspirations of Al-Hilal fans, and that winning the derby is just an important step towards maintaining the titles and strengthening the leader’s position as one of the strongest clubs in the Asian continent.
