Inzaghi reveals the reasons for Al-Hilal's victory and the selection of Al-Harbi to face Koeman
Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, manager of Al-Hilal, expressed his immense satisfaction with the spirited performance of his players in their recent match, emphasizing that the victory came against a tough opponent possessing high technical quality and players capable of making a difference at any moment. The coach explained that the match was by no means easy, and that Al-Hilal deserved the three points as a result of the tremendous effort and mental focus maintained by the players throughout the ninety minutes to continue their winning streak.
In his analysis of the match, Inzaghi said: "We played a top-class tactical game that was enjoyed by the fans present and those watching on screens. In modern football, conceding an early goal can disrupt the calculations, and that's what happened to us, but the team's reaction was exceptional. We managed to come back and impose our style, and I thank all the players for the fighting spirit they showed.".
Artistic vision and composition choices
Regarding the tactical decisions made before the match, Inzaghi emphasized that his starting lineup selections are always based on a thorough analysis of the opponent's strengths. The Italian coach revealed the reason behind his bold decision to start Mutaeb Al-Harbi and leave the Turkish defender out of the initial plans, stating that the criterion was "speed." He explained that facing fast and skillful wingers like Frenchman Kingsley Coman and Portuguese João Félix requires defenders with high recovery speed, which ultimately gave Al-Harbi the edge in this tactical battle.
Supporting management and compensating for absences
In a related context, Al-Hilal's coach praised the professional work being done by the club's management to strengthen the team's ranks, commending the recent signings of Sultan Mandash and Spanish defender Pablo Mari. Inzaghi emphasized that these acquisitions came at an ideal time to compensate for significant absences, particularly that of Senegalese defensive stalwart Kalidou Koulibaly, who is currently participating with his national team in the Africa Cup of Nations, thus demonstrating the depth of the squad and the readiness of the substitutes.
Competition context and league development
These statements come at a time when the Saudi Professional League is witnessing unprecedented development on both the technical and marketing levels, with clubs now boasting world-class stars, making every match a "final" with no room for error. The importance of Al-Hilal's victory lies in its strengthening of their technical stability and increasing the pressure on their rivals, especially given the congested schedule and fierce competition for domestic and continental titles. Maintaining a winning streak is the most crucial factor in securing championships, requiring sustained effort.
