Koulibaly criticised after En-Nesyri punishes defensive error in Al Hilal victory

Kalidou Koulibaly was singled out for criticism after his defensive positioning contributed to Yusuf En-Nesyri’s goal in Al Hilal’s 3-2 victory over Al Ittihad in the eighth-round Saudi Pro League classic.

The Senegal defender came under fire after En-Nesyri escaped his marking to meet a pass from Marwan Al Sahafi and strike past Yassine Bounou in the 22nd minute. The finish brought Al Ittihad back into the match, but the focus quickly turned to Koulibaly’s positioning and the space he allowed the forward to attack.

En-Nesyri’s powerful shot caught Bounou by surprise, yet the goal was also viewed as evidence of a defensive lapse by Al Hilal. Koulibaly failed to track the Moroccan striker’s movement, allowing him to reach the ball in a dangerous area and shoot without sufficient pressure.

Criticism of Koulibaly’s display

Saudi sports media figure Abdullah Falatah criticised Al Hilal’s performance and questioned the way Al Ittihad’s manager handled the game. He also delivered a sharp assessment of Koulibaly’s concentration and defensive mistakes.

Speaking on Saudi network Thmanyah, Falatah said: “The Al Ittihad manager’s handling of the match today was not good, and Koulibaly suffers from technical Alzheimer’s. If the Al Ittihad manager had played with two forwards, the team would have benefited more.”

Koulibaly was not the only analyst to hold the defender responsible for the goal. Former player and sports analyst Abdu Ateef also identified the centre-back’s positioning as the key problem, arguing that it gave En-Nesyri the opportunity to control the ball and shoot at goal.

The incident has renewed questions about Koulibaly’s level in Al Hilal’s defence. The former Senegal international is expected to provide experience and strength at the back, particularly in major matches where close marking and concentration inside the penalty area are essential.

En-Nesyri’s goal illustrated the danger of even a brief defensive error against a striker of his quality. The Al Ittihad forward needed little space or time to take advantage of the gap and produce a finish that changed the momentum of the contest.

Although Al Hilal ultimately secured a 3-2 win, conceding in that manner gave critics further reason to examine Koulibaly’s performance. The result was particularly significant because of the match’s importance in the race for top position.

However, judging a player’s contribution cannot depend solely on one incident. Koulibaly’s overall performance, his response after the mistake and his ability to fulfil his defensive responsibilities throughout the match must also be considered.