Inzaghi’s measured approach helps Al Hilal edge Al Qadsiah in five-goal thriller

Simone Inzaghi said Al Hilal managed their energy carefully before producing a stronger second-half performance to beat Al Qadsiah 3-2 in a closely contested Saudi Pro League match on Friday.

The result came at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam in the 11th round of the competition and moved Al Hilal to the top of the table with 27 points.

Al Qadsiah had been two points behind before the match but dropped to third, behind Al Nassr on goal difference, despite having played one match more.

Speaking at his post-match news conference, Inzaghi praised the quality of their opponents and explained how his team approached the demanding contest.

“We achieved an important victory against a distinguished and strong team with excellent players,” the Al Hilal manager said. “Al Qadsiah played a great match and I am happy with this victory.”

He added: “We played two strong halves and tried to distribute our effort in this competitive match. We succeeded in producing a better performance in the second half and settled the game in our favour.”

The Italian also acknowledged that the intensity of the match had taken a physical toll on some of his players.

“We went through several stages during which some players experienced fatigue,” he said. “Some of them showed signs of exhaustion, and we will check on them before the next match.”

Inzaghi rejected the suggestion that the victory represented the most important match of Al Hilal’s campaign. He said the team placed the same value on every fixture, pointing to earlier victories over Al Ahli and Al Ittihad in Riyadh.

“Every match is important,” Inzaghi said. “We previously beat Al Ahli and Al Ittihad in Riyadh, and today we beat Al Qadsiah on their own ground. We consider every match important and our aim is to collect three points in each one.”

Al Hilal must now prepare for a quick return to action in the AFC Champions League Elite. Their next fixture is against Al Shamal of Qatar in Doha on Tuesday, in the third round of the league stage.

Inzaghi said the team would train in Dammam before travelling to the Qatari capital.

“We will have a training session in Dammam and then leave for Doha,” he said. “I believe the distance has played a role in this decision, and we will try to prepare properly for the continental task.”

Al Hilal’s victory strengthened their position at the summit of the Saudi Pro League, while Al Qadsiah’s defeat saw them fall behind Al Nassr on goal difference. Despite losing, Al Qadsiah remain within two points of the leaders and have played an additional match.