Two-Nil Derby Dawn: Inzaghi Strikes Back at Conceicao in Saudi Clash
25 October 2025
Derby Result and Head-to-Head Shift
Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, in charge of Al Hilal, delivered a statement with a 2-0 win over Sergio Conceicao's Al Ittihad in the sixth round of the Saudi Pro League at Al-Inma Stadium on Friday night. The victory marks Inzaghi's second win against Conceicao in their head-to-head rivalry, with each coach now recording two wins and three draws between them.
Conceicao's side remains capable of scoring and has historically found the back of the net more often, tallying eight goals to Inzaghi's six across their meetings. The latest clash swung the balance in favor of the Italian bench. Inzaghi has previously guided Inter Milan to the quarterfinals of the Champions League in 2022-23 after a high-profile tie with Porto, while Conceicao had just secured his first win over Inzaghi when Milan beat Inter 3-2 in the Italian Super Cup in January.
Domestically, Conceicao faces a tough run ahead, with upcoming fixtures against Al Nassr and other title contenders, while Al Ittihad sits seventh in the league with ten points, five behind the leaders. In Asia, the team also faces AFC Champions League challenges as they seek better form.
Post-match, Inzaghi left the field quickly without shaking Conceicao's hand. The Portuguese coach stressed there was no personal feud, but the moment underscored a tense dynamic that could flare again in the near future. The La Gazzetta dello Sport framed this moment as a highlight in a long-running, now testy, coaching rivalry.
Inzaghi's journey continues, with Inter's legacy and a history of dramatic matches fueling the narrative, while Conceicao's project in Jeddah fights to prove its long-term viability in a demanding environment.
Punchline 1: If football is a train, Conceicao's always on track—even if the track is a little late.
Punchline 2: Inzaghi didn’t shake hands, but he did shake up the table—twice as nice, at least for his side.
