Following Al-Akhdoud’s heavy defeat against Al-Hilal by a score of five goals to nil, in the twentieth round of the Saudi Professional League, Romanian coach Marius Sumudica provided an in-depth analysis of the reasons for his team’s collapse, stressing that the mental factor and the huge financial differences were decisive in determining the course of the match.
During the post-match press conference, Sumudica explained that his team had delivered two completely contrasting performances. He said, "We played two different halves. We performed exceptionally well in the first half and were a formidable opponent, but the team completely collapsed in the second half ." He attributed this collapse to "mental rather than tactical" reasons, pointing to fatigue and the pressure of consecutive matches, which hadn't given his players enough time to recover and prepare for facing an opponent of Al-Hilal's caliber, a team with exceptional quality players.
General context and impact of absences
This match comes amidst an exceptional season for the Saudi Professional League, which has attracted international stars thanks to significant investments from the Public Investment Fund, creating a clear disparity in resources between clubs. Al-Hilal, the league leaders, are enjoying a brilliant run of form with a series of consecutive victories and the strongest attacking and defensive performance in the competition. Meanwhile, Al-Akhdoud, newly promoted to the Professional League, are engaged in a tough battle to avoid relegation and establish themselves among the elite.
Adding to Al-Akhdoud's difficulties was the absence of four key players, a fact confirmed by Sumudica, who said: "We were greatly affected by the absence of some of our important players, unlike Al-Hilal, which is brimming with stars and possesses a bench no less strong than its starting lineup." He also pointed to the vast difference in financial resources, stating: "Our support was 10 million, while Al-Hilal invested 200 million. This difference makes all the difference in quality and the options available .
The importance of the result and its expected impact
Domestically, this result strengthens Al-Hilal's lead in the league and widens the gap with their closest rivals, making them the clear favorites to win the title. For Al-Akhdoud, this heavy defeat not only costs them three points but also negatively impacts their goal difference, which could prove crucial in the relegation battle at the end of the season. Despite the loss, Sumudica emphasized the importance of giving opportunities to young Saudi players, praising the duo of Muath Faqihi and Khaled Al-Lazam who featured in the match, and highlighting his role in developing local talent.
In closing, Sumudica didn't hesitate to praise Al-Hilal's world-class level, saying, "Al-Hilal belongs in the Champions League alongside Real Madrid, and I'm certain they will be among the top five teams in the world ." This statement reflects the growing international reputation of the Saudi league and the strength of its major clubs, which have become the focus of attention for fans and critics worldwide.
