A sudden setback halts the winning streak
In notable post-match comments, Al-Hilal's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, discussed the reasons behind the surprising draw against their city rivals, Al-Riyadh. This draw brought an end to Al-Hilal's impressive winning streak in the Saudi Professional League, in a match played at the King Fahd International Stadium (Al-Malaz Stadium) as part of the 18th round of fixtures. The team's run of 13 consecutive league victories came to a halt.
The impact of external factors and a crisis in the center-back position
Jesus didn't hesitate to point out that the weather conditions affected his players' performance, saying, "The temperature today was cold, and it had an impact, especially in the second half. We shouldn't be affected by such conditions." The veteran coach added, referring to the depth of his squad, "Kenno is a special player, even if I don't start him," emphasizing the importance of all the players in his roster.
Jesus also highlighted a real problem facing the team at right-back, acknowledging the limited options available. He explained, "We didn't have many options at right-back, and our only choice is Hamad Al-Yami, who has been a regular starter recently. We want to finalize this deal officially," hinting at the management's desire to permanently strengthen this position.
The context of a draw in an exceptional season
This setback comes amidst an exceptional season for Al-Hilal under Jorge Jesus, where the team achieved a series of consecutive victories not only domestically but across all competitions, breaking historical records. Prior to this draw, Al-Hilal had built a reputation as an invincible team, making any result other than a win a significant event requiring analysis and an examination of its causes, especially as the team aims to maintain its unbeaten record in the league.
Importance and future impact
Although this draw may not significantly affect Al Hilal's comfortable lead in the Roshan League standings, it serves as a wake-up call for the team. It highlights that maintaining peak focus and performance in every match is a challenge in itself. Furthermore, Jesus's comments regarding the right-back position may prompt the club's management to intensify their efforts in the upcoming transfer window to strengthen the squad, especially given the increasing importance of matches in the crucial stages of the season, both in the league and in the AFC Champions League, a title Al Hilal aspires to win.
