In a decisive press statement, the Al-Hilal coach categorically denied any involvement in the media rumors circulating about the potential transfer of French star Karim Benzema, captain of Al-Ittihad, to the Riyadh-based club during the current transfer window. The coach emphasized that player recruitment is a purely administrative matter, with the club's management working diligently to strengthen the squad to meet its technical needs before the transfer window closes. He added that he prefers to focus entirely on the upcoming matches.
The importance of the Al-Hilal vs. Al-Ahli derby in the title race
The coaching staff emphasized the paramount importance of tomorrow's highly anticipated match against Al-Ahli in the 20th round of the Saudi Professional League. This match holds significant strategic importance, as the Blue team aims to give their all to secure the three points, thus strengthening their position at the top of the standings and widening the gap with their rivals. Matches between Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli are considered among the pinnacles of Saudi football, attracting a massive following both locally and across the Arab world, due to the rich history and intense rivalry between the two clubs.
The context of the competition and the development of the Roshan League
These statements come at a time when the Saudi League is experiencing unprecedented sporting activity, with the world's attention focused on the Kingdom thanks to its attraction of some of the biggest names in international football. The direct encounters between the top four clubs (Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ittihad) are considered crucial matches that largely determine the league champion. Therefore, the mental and technical focus demanded by the coach reflects his awareness of the difficulty of the journey and the importance of not dropping any points, especially given Al-Ahli's improved performances this season.
Dealing with rumors and technical files
Regarding the transfer window and the participation of new French player Mohamed Meite, the coach explained: "I can't say for certain that the player is fully fit at the moment, but what's certain is that he possesses exceptional technical abilities that will be a strong asset to the team in the future." This statement reflects the coaching staff's policy of gradually integrating new players to ensure their complete integration with the squad.
Addressing defensive gaps and set pieces
In response to criticism regarding the team's goal-conceding, specifically commenting on Neves' statement, the coach acknowledged a weakness that requires intensive work, saying, "We must work harder on set pieces because we are conceding too many goals this way, and this is unacceptable for us as a team competing for titles." Football analysts emphasize that teams aiming to win major championships must possess a defensive solidity that matches their attacking strength, something the coaching staff is striving to address in the final training sessions before the highly anticipated match.
