Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, manager of Al-Hilal, made a significant strategic decision regarding the team's lineup in the coming period, following their valuable 2-0 victory over Al-Ettifaq. This win, achieved in the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League, was played at the Kingdom Arena and further solidified Al-Hilal's lead at the top of the standings.
According to sources close to the club, Jesus's decision focuses on implementing a rotation policy among players in upcoming matches, aiming to reduce physical strain and avoid fatigue and injuries given the team's congested fixture schedule. This decision comes at a crucial point in the season, as Al-Hilal is competing fiercely on three major fronts: the Saudi Professional League, the King's Cup, and the AFC Champions League, all of which require the full readiness of the entire squad.
The general context and Al-Hilal's exceptional journey
Under Jorge Jesus's leadership, Al-Hilal is having an exceptional season by all accounts. The team has achieved a historic winning streak, placing them at the forefront of the football scene not only domestically but also globally. This outstanding performance is the result of the Portuguese coach's excellent technical and tactical work, coupled with the clear harmony among the team's star-studded lineup, including Aleksandar Mitrovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Ruben Neves, and Salem Al-Dawsari. The victory against Al-Ettifaq, in which Savic and Al-Dawsari scored, was more than just three points; it was a confirmation of the team's strength and its continued pursuit of titles.
The importance of the decision and its expected impact
The importance of squad rotation lies in its ability to protect the team from the biggest challenge facing major clubs: fatigue. With Al-Hilal facing crucial and consecutive matches, most notably the highly anticipated derby against Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Professional League and then the AFC Champions League quarter-finals, maintaining the energy levels of the key players becomes a top priority. The rotation policy allows coach Jesus to give substitutes the opportunity to prove themselves and maintain match fitness, while simultaneously resting key players for these crucial encounters. This strategic balance could be the deciding factor in Al-Hilal's ability to continue competing strongly on all fronts and achieve the historic treble its fans aspire to.
