Worries grow for Al-Hilal despite victory over Al-Hazem

RIYADH: Al-Hilal are still undefeated in the Saudi Pro League this season after a 3-0 victory over Al-Hazem on Matchday 31. Yet as the all-important Capital Derby on May 12 against Al-Nassr approaches, concerns are growing within the Al-Hilal camp over the team’s style of play.

Despite the win, Al-Hilal were outplayed by the hosts for large portions of the match.

Karim Benzema opened the scoring, converting from close range after a corner from Ruben Neves was flicked on by Mohammad Kanno. The Frenchman made no mistake, finishing into an empty net in the ninth minute.

After taking the lead, Al-Hilal sat back, allowing Al-Hazem to grow into the game. They relied on wingers Malcom and Salem Al-Dawsari to lead attacks on the counter.

For Al-Hilal fans, this has become an uncomfortable sight, with Simone Inzaghi’s approach showing a shift away from the club’s traditional attacking style.

The space conceded by Al-Hilal allowed Al-Hazem to build with greater confidence and threaten an equaliser in the second half.

Most notably, the hosts had a triple chance in the 50th minute that Al-Hilal did well to survive. Yassine Bounou produced two quick saves from Fabio Martins and Omar Al-Somah before Martins’ follow-up was cleared by Neves for a corner.

Al-Hilal looked to respond on the counter, but Al-Hazem goalkeeper Ibrahim Zaeid managed to keep out their most dangerous chance in the 54th minute.

A triple substitution followed in the 65th minute, with Marcos Leonardo, Abdulkarim Darisi and Sultan Mandash coming on for Karim Benzema, Salem Al-Dawsari and Moteb Al-Harbi.

The changes had an immediate effect. Leonardo struck the post before Mandash powered the ball into the net in the 70th minute, only for VAR to rule the goal