Five-0 Frenzy: Inzaghi’s Hilal Roars, Dosri Deserves Asia Spotlight

Inzaghi's Confidence Grows After a Commanding Win

The Italian head coach, Simone Inzaghi, said he was pleased with the big win as Al Hilal defeated Ettifaq 5-0 at Ego Stadium in Dammam, in the fifth round of the Roshen Saudi Pro League. He noted that the club's ambition is to win every match and acknowledged a slower start due to early-season draws, but stressed the need to keep the winning streak alive.

"Our aim is to win all our games. We were a bit delayed by draws at the start of the season, but we are determined to continue the run," Inzaghi remarked after the match. He added that Ettifaq had been studied carefully and that the players delivered a fabulous effort, with even those returning from national duty showing top-level form. He emphasized control in both halves and the significance of a substantial victory.

Inzaghi also spoke about overcoming post-break nerves: the focus returned today as the international players came back in peak condition. He praised the overall performance, noting that Ali Laqami and Ali Al-Bulayhi contributed after being brought on, and he mentioned awaiting Hamad Al-Yami's medical report while acknowledging that Cancelo had been ruled out with an injury.

Looking ahead, Inzaghi stressed that the team must remain focused on the next challenge, with a key match against Al Sadd in the AFC Champions League for the Elite approaching, and not to look past the Sadd game despite the looming clash with Al Ittihad.

"Salem Al-Dosari deserves the Asian Player of the Year award, and I am glad to have him with us; the fans want to see him perform and enjoy what he brings to the pitch," he said, praising the forward’s impact.

Malcolm Returns and Bono Reaches a Century

The match also featured the return of Brazilian Malcolm Filipe after a 29-day layoff due to a foot injury, marking a timely spark for the champions. Separately, Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou completed his 100th appearance for the club in all competitions, extending his stay with Al Hilal until 2028. Bounou had previously kept clean sheets in a portion of his appearances, underscoring his role as a backbone for the defense.

According to Transfermarkt, Ettifaq had not beaten Al Hilal in 15 consecutive league encounters, with two draws and 13 defeats in that span, underscoring the blue half’s dominance in this rivalry.

Al Hilal's Five-Goal Nostalgia

The five-goal victory revived memories of Hilal’s famous five-goal performances, harking back to past eras under former coach Jorge Jesus and a string of high-scoring games this season. This win also followed a recent run in which Hilal had posted multiple goals in other league fixtures, though this one stood out for its cleanliness and timing against a stubborn Ettifaq side.

On the Etifaq side, coach Saad Al-Sheri expressed deep disappointment, noting that the sequence of goals forced a more open approach and that his team deserved better. He argued that domestic and international talents for both teams are rising, making matches against top clubs like Hilal increasingly challenging, and he stressed optimism about the near future while acknowledging the need for better execution in forthcoming fixtures.

Al-Sheri also commented on the broader landscape, saying that massive clubs — including Hilal, Al Nassr, and Al Ittihad — have become stronger when at their best, which makes navigating the calendar tougher for everyone. He closed by thanking the supporters and hoping for better results as the competition progresses, with the next important test looming over this weekend.

Conclusion: A Campaign Re-energized

The win is a reminder that Al Hilal remains a title-contender, able to flex its depth and star power across competitions. The combination of fresh returns, milestone appearances, and a refreshed tactical approach leaves the team poised for a sustained run. Whether this signals a genuine shift in momentum or simply a high point of the season remains to be seen, but the mood around the club is undeniably upbeat.

Humor break: If football had a swagger meter, Hilal just uploaded the firmware. Punchline: If you’re going to break an opponent, at least do it with a five-goal celebration—nothing says “we mean business” like a perfectly grooved dance routine after the last whistle. And if the ball had a passport, it would’ve filed for dual citizenship after today—because it clearly loved both the attacking shores of the Etifaq defense and the home turf of Dammam.