Breath of Buzz: Malcolm Filipe Sparks Al Hilal Fans Ahead of Ettifaq Showdown

What sparked the buzz

Malcolm Filipe, the Brazilian winger for Al Hilal, has fans buzzing ahead of the Saudi Pro League clash with Ettifaq, scheduled for this weekend as part of the fifth round. A recent post on his official Snapchat showed him with a breathing device, which stirred concern among Zaeem supporters who are anxious for results and consistency.

Sources indicated the device is not indicative of a health problem. Rather, it is a post-training inhalation tool used to stimulate circulation and wake up the muscles after rigorous sessions—a reminder that footballers sometimes carry intriguing gear in their kitbags, even if it’s not headline material for most fans.

The publication notes Filipe’s post did not reveal any ailment; the device appears to be a post-training aid rather than a sign of illness. Still, the image managed to generate chatter across social feeds as the team prepares for another tough league test against Ettifaq.

As the capital club gears up for the Saturday match, they’ll be aiming to extend a recent winning run after a 3-1 victory over Al Khaleej, keeping pace with the top sides while contending with a crowded schedule and rising expectations from a passionate fanbase.

Filipe has endured an injury setback in the past—an issue at his ankle that required a short recovery period—yet he has since continued to contribute on the pitch. The team’s coaching staff emphasize steady recovery and smart management of load to stay competitive across domestic and continental championships.

Across his 102 appearances for Hilal in all competitions, Filipe has tallied 40 goals and provided 33 assists, with a market value around €22 million. His form, explosiveness, and playmaking nose remain vital as Hilal push for supremacy in the Pro League and a deep run in cup competitions.

In a recent standout performance against Al Ahli, Filipe found the net twice (minutes 24 and 41) and set up a scorer’s chance for Frenchman Theo Hernandez at the 12th minute, earning a 9.4 rating from SofaScore—the club’s top mark in that match, reflecting his influence and the level of precision in his passing and movement.

Challenges ahead

Under Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, Hilal faces a spell of tough fixtures, intensified by a growing injury list that has tested the squad’s depth. Key absentees like Savic, Filipe, Nunez, and Cancelo have strained the balance and forced tactical improvisation to maintain form and consistency in domestic and continental play.

The club also carries the burden of a dense calendar across the Saudi league, the AFC Champions League, and the King Cup, demanding careful energy management and rotation to preserve the team’s identity while avoiding burnout. Inzaghi’s plan will hinge on leveraging the squad’s depth and keeping players fresh for high-stakes battles in the weeks ahead.

The Bottleneck month

October shapes up as a critical period for Hilal, with a series of challenging matches framed as a bottleneck that could determine whether the capital club can compete for silverware. The upcoming Ettifaq test takes place at the Igo Stadium in Dammam on Saturday, October 18, with a kickoff around six forty-five in local time (Cairo and Mecca) and seven forty-five in Abu Dhabi’s time zone.

Hilal currently sits sixth in the league with eight points from two wins and two draws, four points behind leaders Al Nassr after four rounds. Ettifaq sit seventh with seven points, from two wins, one draw, and one loss, making this match a classic mid-table clash with real implications for momentum and confidence.

The head-to-head record tilts in Hilal’s favor: in 30 meetings across 15 league campaigns, Hilal has 21 wins to Ettifaq’s 2, with 7 draws. Hilal’s players have also outscored Ettifaq, netting 62 goals to Ettifaq’s 24 in those clashes, underscoring the expected edge for the visitors on the day of the game. Captain Salem Al-Dosari remains the all-time top scorer for the two clubs in league encounters, tied with former Hilal forward Bafetimbi Gomis at seven goals each.

The league’s scheduling nod

The Saudi Pro League competitions board has approved scheduling adjustments requested by Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al Nassr, along with Al Ahli, allowing an extra rest day (three days rather than two) after continental fixtures in the AFC Champions League or the King’s Cup, while making a single-day adjustment for the Union. The decisions aim to balance league and cup commitments while preserving competitive integrity for the top four teams and ensuring players get adequate recovery time.

As the calendar tightens, Hilal’s staff will be plotting rotation and workload strategies to maximize impact without compromising the approach and identity of the team. The Octobers ahead promise a real test of depth, resilience, and tactical flexibility as the season unfolds.

Humor break: If breathing devices become a problem, maybe the team should just switch to singing during drills—less wind resistance, more winded cheers. Punchline time: 1) If football clubs start selling oxygen tanks as training gear, tell your friends you’re “inhaling new tactics” this season. 2) And if fans really want a breath of fresh air, they can always open the stadium doors and hope the air conditioning is synced with the game pace.