Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, manager of Al-Hilal, expressed his complete satisfaction with his team's performance and the result achieved in the thrilling Riyadh derby against Al-Shabab, which ended with a 4-3 victory for Al-Hilal in the 25th round of the Saudi Professional League. Jesus emphasized that the team's character and fighting spirit were the decisive factors in winning the difficult match.
In the post-match press conference, Jesus said: “It was a tough and open game, just as we expected. Al-Shabab are a great team and put on a great performance. The most important thing for us is that we showed great character after conceding goals and managed to come back and win. This kind of victory boosts the players' confidence and confirms their never-give-up mentality.” The Portuguese coach praised the players' tremendous effort, especially given the pressure of matches and competing on all fronts.
The general context of the Riyadh derby
The Al-Hilal vs. Al-Shabab match, known as the "Riyadh Derby," is one of the strongest and oldest competitive matches in Saudi football. This match always carries a special atmosphere of rivalry and excitement, given the rich history of both clubs and their massive fan bases. Al-Hilal entered this match in exceptional form, aiming to continue their record-breaking winning streak and further solidify their comfortable lead in the Roshan League standings.
The importance of winning and its expected impact
This victory holds immense significance for Al-Hilal on several levels. Domestically, it brings the team one step closer to reclaiming the Saudi Professional League title, widening their lead at the top of the table. Internationally, the win extends their record-breaking winning streak, drawing global media attention to the team's impressive performances this season. However, the match brought worrying news with the injury to Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, posing a significant challenge for coach Jorge Jesus in the crucial upcoming period of the season, both domestically and in the AFC Champions League.
