Inzaghi’s Hidden Mark: Al Hilal’s Coach Hasn’t Shown All He Can Yet

Inzaghi’s potential is not yet fully unleashed, says Al-Daeae

Mohammed Al-Daeae, a Saudi football legend and former Al Hilal goalkeeper, maintains that Italian manager Simone Inzaghi has not yet revealed everything he can do with the Blue Wave.

Inzaghi took over last summer, steered the team at the Club World Cup in the United States, and helped them reach the quarterfinals, all while the club currently remains undefeated in the ongoing season.

Al-Daeae, quoted by the Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadia, stated that Inzaghi has not yet delivered his full capacity; there appears to be some variation in performance between the Club World Cup run and the league start, a gap not to be blamed on the coach.

There was some unsettled transition between the World Cup end and the reset period, but such fluctuations are normal given differing playing styles across competitions.

Al-Daeae added that Al Hilal has not tasted defeat yet, despite facing strong opponents like Al Ahli, Al Qadsiah, and Al Ittihad.

Since assuming the role, Inzaghi has delivered roughly 60% of his potential; about 40% remains, a typical scenario in a long season where physical effort is required to sustain momentum across competitions.

He expects the squad to improve in the second half as players grow more in tune with the coach’s system.

A relatively easy-looking task on paper

In the ninth round of Roshen Pro League action, Al Hilal face Al Fateh in a fixture that could help them keep pace with league leaders, Al Nassr, who sit four points ahead.

Last season, Al Hilal handed Al Fateh a nine-goal thrashing, a reminder of their ability to overwhelm strong sides when fully dialed in.

The team is contesting three competitions—league, King Cup, and the AFC Champions League—and remains unbeaten in the league, currently fourth in the standings. In the King Cup, they have reached the quarterfinals where they’ll meet Al Fateh again, while in the ACL they top West Asia with a perfect 12 points from four games.

Next Tuesday, Al Hilal will host Al Shorta of Iraq to reinforce their winning streak.

Awaited signing, but not yet done

Al Hilal reportedly closed the door on a deal to sign Sultan Mendesh, the winger from Al Taawoun, ahead of the winter window, according to several outlets.

Speculation linked Mendesh with a move given his standout form at Taawoun this season, but Al Taawoun reportedly informed Al Hilal they were not willing to part with him in January.

The club’s stance appears to be to retain Mendesh at least until the end of the season, in line with Taawoun’s desire for stability amid strong results.

Taawoun sits second in the Saudi league with 21 points from seven consecutive wins, just three points behind leaders Al Nassr. The report notes Taawoun’s decision to hold Mendesh while they press on with the campaign, prompting Al Hilal to explore other options in January.

Coach Brágilis (Briekles) Chamuskas reportedly pushed for Mendesh’s stay, arguing that the winger is among the crucial players for the team’s plans. Chamuskas’ stance underscores the importance of keeping depth in attack, especially with a long season ahead.

Mendesh, aged 31, has been a key contributor for Taawoun this season, with 10 appearances yielding four goals and two assists. Across 70 appearances for Taawoun, he has tallied 11 goals and six assists. He has also been recalled to the national team for a squad gathering in Jeddah to face Ivory Coast and Algeria, marking a return after a six-and-a-half-year absence. This season, Mendesh’s form has kept him in Saudi Arabia’s wider national team considerations, including a recent outing in a 1-0 win over Ivory Coast.

In total this season, Mendesh has 4 goals and 2 assists in 10 games for Taawoun; his overall club tally stands at 11 goals in 70 appearances, plus 6 assists, highlighting his continued relevance to Saudi football.

Two punchlines to brighten the end: If coaching were a video game, Inzaghi would still be stuck on Level 1—waiting for the patch that unlocks “Full Potential.” And if Al Hilal keep climbing, the only thing heavier than their squad will be the fans’ snacks at the stadium—because both will be packed with energy and suspense.