Al Hilal’s Inzaghi project faces early scrutiny after Saudi league win

A former Saudi Arabia international has questioned whether Simone Inzaghi can guide Al Hilal to the Roshn Saudi League or AFC Champions League Elite titles, despite the club opening their domestic campaign with a 4-2 victory over Al Faisaly.

Abdulrahim Jizawi, who previously played for Al Ahli and Al Ittihad, criticised the Italian coach after Al Hilal surrendered control of the match in the second half and conceded twice in the space of five minutes.

Inzaghi’s side secured the win on Friday evening at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh in the opening round of the Roshn Saudi League. However, Jizawi argued that the team’s performance after the interval raised serious questions about its ability to compete for the biggest trophies.

“I am one of those who believe it is impossible for Simone Inzaghi to be Al Hilal’s coach,” Jizawi said during an appearance on the Saudi television programme Dawrina Ghair.

His comments came despite Al Hilal having built a commanding position in the match. Jizawi said the team performed well during the first half but then failed to maintain the same level for much of the second period.

“Al Hilal were good in the first half, but from the start of the second half until the fourth goal was scored in the 82nd minute, we only saw the Al Faisaly goalkeeper a few times. Can this really be Al Hilal?” he said.

Jizawi went on to suggest that Inzaghi’s team would not achieve its main objectives under the former Inter Milan manager.

“This team wants to compete for the league and win trophies, but with Inzaghi, they will win only the King’s Cup. It will be impossible for them to win the league or the Elite title,” he said.

The former Saudi player’s assessment contrasts with the success Inzaghi enjoyed with Al Hilal last season. The Italian led the club to the King’s Cup, but they finished behind Al Nassr in the Roshn Saudi League.

Al Hilal also failed to reach the latter stages of the AFC Champions League Elite, going out in the last 16 against Qatar’s Al Sadd.

The victory over Al Faisaly provided Inzaghi with a positive start to the new league campaign, but the concession of two goals during a difficult spell after half-time has already prompted debate over whether Al Hilal can sustain a challenge across domestic and continental competitions.

Jizawi’s prediction adds to the pressure on Inzaghi to deliver beyond the King’s Cup, with Al Hilal expected to compete for both the Roshn Saudi League title and the AFC Champions League Elite.