Inzaghi explains the reasons for excluding Nunez and including Benzema against Al-Ettifaq

Al-Hilal's Italian coach, Simone Inzaghi, announced that his team is fully prepared for their highly anticipated match against Al-Ettifaq, scheduled for this evening as part of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. These statements come at a time when Saudi football is experiencing a qualitative leap and unprecedented global attention, placing additional pressure on coaches and players to deliver their best performances.

The importance of facing Al-Ettifaq in the league race

In the pre-match press conference, Inzaghi spoke about the difficulty of the opponent, noting that Al-Ettifaq possesses outstanding players and a high level of tactical organization, making the match a real challenge. Inzaghi said, "We know Al-Ettifaq well; they are a tough and tenacious team. We have worked diligently over the past few days to correct the mistakes that appeared in previous matches, and we will do our utmost to deliver a great performance worthy of both teams' reputations and the fans' expectations." This round is of paramount importance in shaping the league title race, as Al-Hilal seeks to strengthen its position and secure the three points.

Behind the scenes of Darwin Nunez's exclusion

In a related matter, Inzaghi addressed his controversial decision to exclude Uruguayan striker Darwin Núñez from the team's domestic roster. The Italian coach explained that the decision was not easy, but it was based purely on tactical considerations that served the best interests of the team. He stated, "It was a difficult decision, but I am the coach who selects the squad according to the team's tactical needs and the required balance on the field." This decision comes within the context of regulations governing the number of foreign professional players, which necessitates that coaches make crucial choices when selecting from among international stars.

Karim Benzema... a world-class addition to Al-Hilal

Regarding the signing of French star Karim Benzema to Al-Hilal, Inzaghi expressed his immense satisfaction at having a player of Benzema's stature and history in his squad. He emphasized that having a Ballon d'Or winner with extensive experience in European football is a tremendous asset. He added, "We are delighted with Benzema's arrival because he is a big name and will contribute significantly to the team both on and off the field, whether in terms of scoring goals or leading and guiding his teammates." Benzema is expected to be a major attacking force for Al-Hilal in upcoming domestic and continental competitions.