Inzaghi looks for more Hilal firepower in must-win FIFA Club World Cup clash

NASHVILLE: In Nashville, the US’ self-proclaimed Music City, Al-Hilal’s new coach Simone Inzaghi is hoping to fine-tune an Al-Hilal forward line that has performed worryingly off-key so far at this month’s FIFA Club World Cup.

With only a Ruben Neves penalty to show for almost 200 minutes of football in the US, the Riyadh side face Mexico’s CF Pachuca tonight knowing only a win will do if they are to progress to the round of 16.

The Blues will need to find their rhythm.

For all the praise received following the statement 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in Miami, it is Sunday’s dull stalemate with Red Bull Salzburg that is freshest in mind.

The statistics do not make for pleasant reading: across the two matches, Hilal managed 31 shots, but only six hit the target. Discount the penalty and it equates to six shots for every one on target — hardly in harmony with a team of Hilal’s wealth of ambition.

Nonetheless, Inzaghi was generous with his praise for the players’ effort after the scoreless draw.

He confirmed in his pre-match press conference yesterday that striker Aleksandar Mitrovic remains sidelined, though Saudi Arabia center-back Hassan Al-Tambakti trained as normal despite hobbling off against Salzburg.

While the front three is likely to remain unchanged with Marcos Leonardo operating between Salem Al-Dawsari and Malcom, the Hilal bench might have one new face should Inzaghi need a spark in attack.

Kaio Cesar has proclaimed himself fully recovered from the hamstring injury that has kept him out since May 16. On Wednesday, the 21-year-old winger trained with the squad before being pulled aside and taken through his paces by muscle reconditioning expert Claudio Spicciariello.

The Brazilian told Arab News he is “100