Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi called for composure after his team's record 13-game Roshn Saudi League winning run ended with a 1-1 draw against rivals Al Riyadh. The Italian acknowledged his side's missed opportunity to extend their lead at the summit but emphasized the broader context of their commanding league position.
Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi called for composure after his team's record 13-game Roshn Saudi League winning run ended with a 1-1 draw against rivals Al Riyadh. The Italian acknowledged his side's missed opportunity to extend their lead at the summit but emphasized the broader context of their commanding league position.
"We are the top team in the league," Inzaghi stated, reflecting on the match where his team took an early lead through Marcos Leonardo. He pointed to a strong first-half performance and a costly defensive error on a set-piece that led to the equalizer just before the hour mark. The manager stressed the need for calm analysis and continued work, as they did during their extended victorious run.
Match-winner Marcos Leonardo echoed his manager's measured response, describing the derby as predictably difficult and attributing some disruption to windy conditions. The Brazilian forward, who netted his ninth league goal of the campaign, framed the solitary point as potentially vital in the protracted championship battle.
"The championship is long," Leonardo said. "We secured a point - I think this point will be very important for the rest of the championship, for us to win this title." The draw leaves Al Hilal five points clear at the top, but allows pursuers Al Ahli, Al Qadsiah, and Al Nassr—who have a game in hand—an opportunity to close the gap in the coming days.
