Weapons of Mass Destruction: Inzaghi's Blueprint Dismantles Al Gharafa’s Defenses

Tactical masterclass fuels Al Hilal's win over Al Gharafa

Al Hilal Saudi FC pressed their advantage over a different rival, sealing their ninth straight victory thanks to a distinctive tactical approach from Italian coach Simone Inzaghi that kept the blue team dominating the match with minimal exertion.

With sharp intelligence, the former Inter Milan boss managed the Asian clash for the fourth time this season, delivering the required result and more — including resting key players and recalling stars like Cancelo, whose contributions were both creative and goal-scoring, alongside Kaio’s rare finish.

Under early pressure, the away side showed resilience; Inzaghi's plan relied on an aggressive press and the use of wing-backs. Cancelo and Theo acted as two attacking lungs for Al Hilal, delivering precise crosses and also cutting inside to increase attacking density and complicate the opponent’s defensive setup.

Al Hilal dominated possession, especially in the first half, holding around 60% of the ball, yet the control was purposeful — not mere possession for its own sake — as they pressed toward Khalifa Babiker’s goal and created repeated threats.

Efforts from Salem Al-Dawsari, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, and Kaio, along with late runs from Cancelo and Theo, kept the danger alive and the scoreboard ticking in the hosts’ favor.

Following the opening goal, the host team pushed to extend the lead, while Al Gharafa sought a reply. Inzaghi kept the defense high and compact, maintaining midfield dominance and limiting dangerous turnovers that could spark a late counterattack.

Moments of quality from Mohammed Kanno, Ali Al-Lagami, and Yousef Akhchik helped win and preserve possession, while Kaio’s second-half strike firmed Hilal’s grip on the match and showcased the players’ cohesion, experience, and depth in attacking transitions.

Overall, the performance demonstrated a continued evolution of Inzaghi’s approach, with the backline enabled to join attacks and create overloads, while the midfield channeled tempo and controlled the rhythm against a resilient opponent.

Injury news added a layer of drama, as Malcolm travelled to Spain with the medical staff to undergo further precise checks on a foot issue. The club did not reveal a fixed return date, leaving the door open for his possible involvement in forthcoming fixtures depending on the results of the checks.

As the squad nears the international break, this victory provides momentum for Inzaghi and the players, while the squad’s depth and tactical flexibility promise continued competitiveness in the group stages of the AFC Champions League Elite.

Punchline: If tactical genius were a weapon, Inzaghi just brought a nuke to a paper-plane fight. Punchline 2: Hilal’s defense is so tight that even my Wi‑Fi would choke trying to break through—welcome to the fortress-chef edition of football.