RIYADH: In arguably the biggest fixture of the Saudi Pro League season so far, league leaders Al-Hilal and third-place Al-Ahli played out a tense stalemate at Kingdom Arena on Monday night, with neither side able to make a breakthrough.
Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney, who tops the league’s scoring chart with 18 goals, was kept quiet as defensive discipline took center stage.
Unlike previous encounters between the two sides, the first half resembled a war of attrition; neither team was able to break the other down with any consistency, and when openings did arise, the final touch proved elusive.
Both of the coaches, Simone Inzaghi and Matthias Jaissle, made their share of tactical adjustments for the game.
Rather than deploy the customary 5-4-1 formation home side Al-Hilal usually deploys in high-profile matches, Inzaghi opted instead for a 4-1-4-1 arrangement, with Ruben Neves anchoring the midfield while Salem Al-Dawsari and Malcom provided width on the flanks. Moteb Al-Harbi, a natural left-back, was deployed on the right side of defense to counter Wenderson Galeno’s dangerous inward runs.
Al-Ahli’s shape was fluid, meanwhile, with Enzo Millot operating between a traditional No.10 role and a false No. 9, depending on how high the press was. The full-backs played contrasting roles, with Ali Majrashi surging forward aggressively on the right while Zakaria Hawsawi tucked inside to assist with build-up play.
Despite these tactical changes, defensive excellence remained the dominant theme. Space was hard to find, and opportunities for either side to fashion clear chances largely came during moments of high pressure.
The tempo increased noticeably in the second half. Roger Ibanez carried the ball forward from deep, reaching the edge of Al-Hilal’s box before slipping a pass toward Galeno, only for Kalidou Koulibaly to step in with a crucial block.
As the visitors continued to raise the intensity, Majrashi won possession high up the pitch before Galeno laid the ball off to Millot, whose effort drifted just wide. I would not have counted anyway, as the linesman had eventually raised his flag for offside.
A series of tactical fouls followed as Al-Ahli took control of the rhythm of the game. Al-Hilal were reduced to counterattacks as Jaissle’s side pushed forward, creating chances from all angles. In the 76th minute, Ibanez met Galeno’s corner with a free header but the ball skimmed just past the post.
Mohammed Kader Meite was introduced shortly thereafter, the former Rennes forward making his debut for Al-Hilal as a replacement for Darwin Nunez, who had endured a difficult evening.
Al-Ahli’s inability to capitalize on their control of the game almost proved costly in the 84th minute, when Al-Hilal appeared to take the lead.
A trademark long pass from Neves found Malcom on the shoulder of Rayan Hamed, and his cut-back was finished off by Al-Dawsari — only for the video assistant referee to rule Malcom offside.
Majrashi’s aggressive approach on the right eventually caught up with him, when a late challenge on Theo Hernandez earned him a second yellow card deep into stoppage time.
Elsewhere, visiting Al-Nassr edged past Al-Riyadh 1-0 to move onto 46 points, just one behind Al-Hilal and two clear of Al-Ahli, thanks to a decisive strike by Sadio Mane in the 40th minute. The Senegalese forward deputized for Cristiano Ronaldo, who was absent amid reports of dissatisfaction with Al-Nassr’s winter transfer window activity.
In Najran, Al-Okhdood, second-bottom of the league, were minutes away from a vital home victory before Alexandre Lacazette converted a penalty in the 85th minute to earn mid-table Neom a 1-1 draw.
On Tuesday, Damac will host Al-Kholood, before an Eastern Province double-header as Al-Ettifaq and Al-Taawoun go head-to-head at E’GO Stadium, while Al-Khaleej face Al-Qadsiah at Prince Mohammed bin Fahad Stadium.
