Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic, star of Al-Ittihad, made strong statements that ignited the atmosphere ahead of the highly anticipated Saudi Clasico against Al-Hilal, asserting that his team, the reigning league champions, do not fear the current league leaders. These confident remarks came after he led his team to a hard-fought and valuable 2-1 victory over Al-Fayha in the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League.
In the match held at Al-Fayha Stadium, Al-Ittihad struggled before securing the three points. Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri opened the scoring for Al-Ittihad in the 36th minute, netting his first goal for the club since joining during the winter transfer window. However, Al-Fayha equalized through Zambian Fashion Sakala in the 55th minute. With the match seemingly headed for a draw, defender Hassan Kadash snatched a dramatic winning goal for Al-Ittihad seven minutes before the end of regulation time, giving his team a significant morale boost.
General context and historical background of El Clásico
The Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Hilal match, known as the "Saudi Clasico," is one of the most prestigious and intense rivalries in the history of Saudi and Asian football. This encounter represents a historic clash between two giants, one from Jeddah (Al-Ittihad) and the other from Riyadh (Al-Hilal), and it enjoys a massive and unparalleled following. Al-Ittihad enters this match as the reigning champions of the 2022-2023 season, a fact that coach Rajkovic emphasized in his statements: "We are the champions of last season, and we remain the champions ." Meanwhile, Al-Hilal is enjoying an exceptional season, comfortably leading the league table without a single defeat and achieving a historic winning streak. This adds a special dimension to the Clasico, combining the pride of the champions with the challenge of the seemingly invincible league leaders.
The importance of the match and its expected impact
The match carries immense importance on several levels. Domestically, Al-Hilal seeks to solidify its dominance and take another step closer to clinching the title, while Al-Ittihad hopes for a victory that will restore some of its prestige and appease its fans after an inconsistent season. Furthermore, Al-Ittihad is the only team capable of breaking its arch-rival's unbeaten streak. Regionally and internationally, the derby has gained a global dimension with the addition of a constellation of international stars such as Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté for Al-Ittihad, and Aleksandar Mitrović and Sergej Milinković-Savić for Al-Hilal. These names have made the match a focal point for football fans worldwide, and its outcome now impacts the reputation and strength of the Saudi Professional League as a whole.
In his televised remarks following the Al-Fayha match, Rajkovic said, "The match wasn't easy. We felt some fatigue after playing an AFC Champions League match three days ago, but the most important thing is that we achieved victory and secured three crucial points." Regarding the upcoming match against Al-Hilal, he added with a clear tone of defiance, "We will fight and we will go for the win. We are not afraid; we are the champions from last season, and we are still the champions ." With this victory, Al-Ittihad raised its points tally to 37, securing sixth place, while Al-Fayha remained at 23 points in twelfth place. This result sets the stage for a fiery and intense derby between two giants, each vying to assert their dominance.
