The fiery Riyadh derby between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, in the fifteenth round of the Saudi Professional League, witnessed dramatic events that changed the course of the match held at the Kingdom Arena. The sending off of Al-Nassr goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi dominated newspaper headlines and sports analyses, especially with media reports suggesting an unexpected role for coach Simone Inzaghi in the incident.
Behind the scenes of the tackle and the red card
According to the analysis of the match by Channel 8, Simone Inzaghi played a crucial role in alerting the referee to the need for a VAR review. Reports indicate that Inzaghi asked the referee to check the monitor to confirm a clear foul committed by goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi against Al-Hilal's Portuguese player, Ruben Neves. The referee heeded this advice and reviewed the footage using VAR, confirming the foul and issuing a straight red card to Al-Aqidi, forcing Al-Nassr to finish the match with ten men at a critical juncture.
The Riyadh derby: A historic rivalry renewed
These events unfold within the context of one of the fiercest derbies in the Arab and Asian world. Matches between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr are more than just three-point games; they represent a historical and passionate rivalry spanning decades. These matches gain added significance given the tremendous growth of the Saudi Professional League (the "Roshan League"), as the world's attention turns to watch top-tier stars compete on Saudi pitches. Encounters between the two teams are always intensely charged and fiercely competitive, where even the smallest details, such as cards and refereeing decisions, play a pivotal role in determining the winner.
The impact of numerical disadvantage and the match scenario
Nawaf Al-Aqidi's dismissal had a profound impact, turning the tide of the match in Al-Hilal's favor. After a relatively sluggish first half, the numerical disadvantage of their arch-rivals gave Al-Hilal players more space to dominate possession. Al-Hilal capitalized on this advantage with tactical brilliance, staging a remarkable comeback and scoring two crucial goals to turn the game around and secure a victory, strengthening their position at the top of the league and reaffirming their dominance in crucial matches.
