In a thrilling and closely contested match at the Kingdom Arena, the top-of-the-table clash between Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli in the 20th round of the Saudi Professional League ended in a draw. This result temporarily halted Al-Hilal's winning streak and sparked debate in sporting circles. Following the match, Al-Hilal's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, spoke at the post-match press conference, offering his technical analysis of the game and highlighting key points regarding the team's performance and the players' form.
Historical background and match context
The Al-Hilal vs. Al-Ahli match, known as the "Saudi Clasico," is considered one of the most important and intense matches in the history of Saudi football. This encounter brings together two teams with massive fan bases and a rich history of titles and achievements. Al-Hilal entered the match comfortably atop the league standings, aiming to solidify their position and continue their quest to reclaim the title. Meanwhile, Al-Ahli, making a strong comeback to the competition, sought to prove their worth as a major contender for the top spots. The match's significance has been amplified by the remarkable development of the Saudi Professional League and its attraction of international stars, placing every top match under global scrutiny.
Jesus's analysis of the match
Jorge Jesus confirmed that the match was very intense and tactically astute, praising the level of play from both teams. He stated, “Today’s match was very strong and of a high standard from both sides. There were few scoring opportunities due to the excellent defensive organization from both teams, and this setback delays our progress in the league.” The Portuguese coach added that dropping two points in the title race is not ideal, but stressed the need to maintain focus, saying, “We are in first place and we must stay there. We will continue working to return to winning ways and maintain our position at the top of the Roshan Professional League standings.”.
Impact of the result and player updates
Jesus pointed out that Al-Ahli benefited from having rest, having played their previous match a day before Al-Hilal, which gave them a relative physical advantage. Regarding substitutions, he explained that replacing Hamad Al-Yami was forced due to an ankle injury. As for Serbian star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Jesus reassured the fans, saying, "Savic suffered a minor injury, similar to a bruise, to his chest, yet he was able to complete the match, demonstrating his high fighting spirit." This draw serves as a wake-up call for Al-Hilal to maintain their focus in the upcoming rounds, while it gives Al-Ahli a significant morale boost to continue competing strongly in the increasingly exciting Roshan League.
