Inzaghi Comes to the Rescue: Al Hilal’s Medical Team Under the Spotlight

Inzaghi Defends Al Hilal's Medical Team

Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, the manager of Saudi side Al Hilal, publicly defended the club's medical staff amid a string of injuries since the 2025-26 season began.

Defender Ali Lagami joined the casualty list after sustaining a knock in the Blue's 2-1 victory over Al Gharafa in the fourth round of the Elite Asian Champions League, adding to the mounting concerns around availability.

The setback comes as Al Hilal maintain top spot in West Asia and edge closer to qualification, having extended their perfect start with an away win that kept them at the summit of the group.

There’s a Method to the Madness

During a post-match press conference, Inzaghi was asked about the rising injuries and whether the medical department, led by Juan Jiménez, bears some responsibility. He responded with conviction, highlighting the strength of the medical team and the relentless fixture load that tests every squad.

“We have a very good medical staff, and fixture congestion causes some injuries. Sergej Savic, Núñez, and Malcolm are in the final phases of rehabilitation,” he said, stressing the importance of depth and careful rotation.

“I’m saddened by Ali Lagami’s injury; he gave a great performance today,” the coach added, signaling a broader empathy for players in tough moments.

The club also confirmed Sergej Savic’s muscular setback, while Núñez is nursing a knee bruise, and Malcolm has traveled to Spain for targeted assessments, with plans to return to training when cleared.

Inzaghi elaborated: “We will continue to work intensively in training as we face a packed schedule; rotation is essential, and every player who took the field today performed well, such as Hamdan and Akčičić.”

He reflected on the broader objective: “We’ve achieved the most important result from this match. We rotated to keep the squad fresh, and we must show an improved level in every game.”

Looking Ahead to Friday

Looking ahead, Inzaghi noted the importance of the upcoming match against Al Najmah, a bottom-placed side, before the international break.

Concern over Malcolm

Reports indicate Malcolm’s travels to Spain for further checks on his ankle were precautionary, following his omission from the clash with Al Gharafa in the Elite Asia Elite group stage.

Al Hilal announced his departure along with a medical staff member to Spain for precise investigations, but did not set a fixed return date. The club stressed there were no serious complications, and Malcolm could feature again once he re-joins full training, depending on his fitness status and the coach’s plan for the upcoming fixtures.

Malcolm has been a standout since arriving in 2023, contributing 40 goals and 34 assists in 105 appearances across competitions, and remains a crucial piece in the “late-attack” engine of the team under Inzaghi’s system.

As of the latest update, Savić and Núñez continue their rehabilitation in the club’s medical facilities, while the flu kept both Bulayi and Tambakti out of the Doha-bound party.

Inzaghi also reiterated his philosophy: rotation is not a sign of weakness, but a strategic move to keep players fresh for the most demanding stretches of the season.

Two punchlines to wrap this up: If injuries are a plot twist, the medical team is the editor—in the best possible way. And if you think football is a simple game, remember: even the clock needs maintenance when you’ve got 14 games in 30 days.