Inzaghi challenges Al-Ittihad: Al-Hilal's preparations for the Founding Day derby
In an atmosphere charged with excitement and anticipation, Al-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi emphasized the crucial importance of the upcoming match against Al-Ittihad tomorrow (Saturday), as part of the "Foundation Day" round of the Saudi Professional League. This match comes at a pivotal moment in the competition, as Al-Hilal seeks to solidify its lead and widen the gap with its rivals, capitalizing on home advantage, the support of its fans, and the rising form of its star players.
Special preparations for the "Founding Day" summit
During the pre-match press conference, Inzaghi indicated that he had prepared the team excellently for this crucial encounter, aiming for a positive result worthy of Al-Hilal's fans' aspirations. The Italian coach acknowledged the strength of the visiting team, describing Al-Ittihad as a "well-organized team" with players capable of making a difference. He added, "We will enter the match with very high concentration; our goal is clear: to maintain our lead in the standings and not drop any points, especially in such high-profile matches.".
The stars shone and the group harmonized
Speaking about the team's readiness, Inzaghi explained that his team had prepared perfectly for the match, stating, "We have the opportunity to finalize the squad based on our complete readiness." The coach particularly praised the noticeable improvement in the players' performance, specifically mentioning team captain Salem Al-Dawsari and Brazilian midfielder Malcom, emphasizing that their recent performances have been characterized by their seamless integration into the team and their service to the system, which is what the team is counting on to unlock Al-Ittihad's defense.
The challenges of Ramadan and the pressure of matches
The Al-Hilal coach addressed the physical and mental challenges awaiting the team in the coming period, explaining that Al-Hilal will face a grueling schedule during the holy month of Ramadan, including eight crucial matches across multiple domestic and continental competitions. He emphasized that this demands significant effort and meticulous recovery, stressing a step-by-step approach: "Each match has its own specific considerations, and we are currently fully focused on tomorrow's game against Al-Ittihad; we are not thinking about anything beyond that at the moment.".
The importance and impact of El Clásico
This "Clásico" takes on added significance as it coincides with the Kingdom's National Day celebrations, lending it a unique festive and competitive character. The eyes of Saudi and Arab football fans are fixed on this encounter, given the rich history shared by the two clubs and their enduring rivalry for titles. Matches between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad are a source of pride for Saudi football, which has garnered global attention thanks to its ability to attract the game's brightest stars.
In closing, Inzaghi expressed his great happiness with the players who joined the team during the winter period, expressing his complete satisfaction with their rapid integration, saying: “I am happy with their level in training and in the matches in which they participate, and I hope that they will continue in this manner to provide the desired addition to the team in the crucial stages of the season.”.
