Inzaghi's Bold Bet: Hilal Star Out Yet Still Top the Chart as Clasico Looms
22 October 2025
Inzaghi's Injury Update Ahead of the Clasico Against Al-Ittihad
Italian manager Simone Inzaghi revealed a major blow for Al Hilal: captain and talisman Salah Al-Dosari is unlikely to be fit for the high-stakes Clasico against Al-Ittihad, following an injury sustained with the national team. The news reshapes the plan for the league clash, pushing Inzaghi to lean on depth and to fine-tune the starting lineup with the derby in mind.
Hilal Edge Al Sadd 3-1 in the Elite Group; Malcolm Rested, Ready for the Next Test
Hilal clinched a 3-1 victory over Al Sadd at Kingdom Arena in the AFC Champions League Elite group stage. The win came as Inzaghi rotated personnel to manage fitness and risk, with Brazilian winger Malcolm starting on the bench today and then set to feature in the upcoming clash against Al-Ittihad. Abdul Karim Al-Maliki and Kalidou Koulibaly helped in midfield, and a flexible defensive setup allowed the hosts to control long phases of the game.
Inzaghi explained that the preparation was tailored to protect players carrying knocks and to ensure freshness for the Clasico. He noted that the decision to rest Malcolm was precautionary, and confirmed the star would be ready for the next league encounter. He also stressed that injuries to defensive and wide players would be monitored closely ahead of the derby, with backups stepping up in the meantime.
The match also saw the continued absence of Joao Cancelo and Hamad Al-Yami due to injuries, prompting adjustments that included deploying Abdul Karim Darshi at right-back. The coach added that the club is hopeful for a timely return of key personnel, while emphasizing that the squad must stay focused on the season’s dense calendar.
Caio Cesar, who had been in good form, stepped into the spotlight by taking a late penalty that drew scrutiny over the taker order. Inzaghi defended the decision, praising Cesar for his performance and noting that the execution of the spot-kick was a product of the moment and the team’s trust in him.
Speaking about the Clasico set for Friday at the Al-Enmâ stadium, Inzaghi stressed the difficulty of facing the champions, now under the guidance of new coach Sergio Conceicao. He pointed out that Al-Ittihad have changed their approach and players, and that meticulous preparation would be essential to secure a positive result. He underscored the reduced time available for tactical work compared with the opponent, adding that the team must adapt quickly and stay hungry for the win.
Inzaghi also reflected on the previous game against Al Sadd, describing it as a thoroughly demanding affair and highlighting how the first half felt under control before the opposition regained belief in the second half. He affirmed that the current leadership of the group places Hilal atop the Western group with maximum points after three rounds, while noting that there are still 15 matches to be played and plenty of chances to consolidate the position.
From a tactical perspective, Inzaghi discussed the choice to field Meᴀtab Al-Harbi in the right-back position to cover for the injured players and praised the midfield trio of Abdul Ilah Al-Maliki and Kalidou Koulibaly for their work rate and balance. He concluded that the team would aim to reproduce the positive habits shown in this match when they face a much tougher opponent in the next fixture.
On the Al Sadd side, coach Sergio Allegri argued that Hilal won through exploiting set-pieces and insisted the team still has opportunities in the remaining group games, despite the setback. Allegri attributed the final result to the quality of the Hillal players and stressed responsibility for conceding goals from dead balls, while noting the need to improve in the next rounds. He closed by emphasizing that their two points from three games leave significant room for growth in the upcoming fixtures.
Discussions about the Clasico extended beyond the match reports, as analysts debated Hilal's readiness for a confrontation with a refreshed Al-Ittihad squad. The clash is framed as a critical test of Inzaghi’s plan and the squad’s resilience, with the league title race intensifying as the season deepens.
