Al-Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi has made an urgent request to the club's medical and fitness staff regarding Spanish defender Pablo Mari, whom the club recently signed from Italian side Fiorentina during the current winter transfer window. This intensive move comes as the coach seeks to bolster the team's defense ahead of their crucial upcoming match.
Inzaghi is keen to start Pablo Mari for Al-Hilal against arch-rivals Al-Nassr in their upcoming match in the Roshan Professional League. The coach aims to bolster the team's defense and close any gaps that the opposing attack could exploit, especially given the fierce competition for the league title.
The importance of the Riyadh derby and its impact on the competition
The Al-Hilal vs. Al-Nassr match, known as the "Riyadh Derby," holds exceptional importance that transcends its status as a mere three-point game. This encounter serves as a showcase for Saudi football both regionally and internationally, especially following the remarkable growth of the Saudi Professional League and its attraction of some of the world's top players. A victory in such a match not only grants a significant point advantage but also provides a tremendous morale boost to the winning team as they strive for the title, which explains Inzaghi's insistence on immediately deploying his new players.
Player registration details and future plans
Regarding administrative matters, Pablo Mari's contract with Al-Hilal will remain in effect until the end of the current season. Reports indicate a detailed technical plan involving registering the player domestically for a limited period before removing him from the domestic roster and registering him only for the Asian Champions League squad. This move takes advantage of regulations that allow flexibility in foreign player rosters for continental competitions, enabling Al-Hilal to compete strongly on both the domestic and continental fronts through a smart rotation of its professional players.
Strengthening the right-back position
On another front, Al-Hilal's ambitions don't stop at strengthening the defense in depth. The club is currently looking to bolster its ranks with a strong signing at right-back. International star Saud Abdulhamid is considered the leading candidate to fill this position and lead the team, replacing the departing Portuguese player João Cancelo. These moves confirm Al-Hilal's management's desire to maintain the team's balance and ensure ready replacements in all key positions to guarantee continued success in winning titles.
