Inzaghi’s Italian Precision Faces Martins’ Portuguese Playbook in Elite AFC Clash

Elite AFC Champions League Preview

Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, head coach of Al Hilal, is poised to write a fresh chapter in his AFC Champions League Elite journey for 2025-2026 as the Riyadh-based side travel to Qatar to face Al Gharafa on Monday in round four, a marquee duel between the Italian strategist and his Portuguese counterpart Pedro Martins.

Al Hilal arrive buoyed by a perfect start, having collected nine points from the opening three group games to sit atop the West Group standings.

By contrast, Al Gharafa go into the match under pressure, with only three points from one win and two losses, facing a tough assignment at home in front of their fans.

This encounter is more than a continental checkpoint; it carries a stronger storyline about Inzaghi's record against the Portuguese coaching school, where the Italian has frequently left the field with a victory.

Historical numbers back up that clash of cultures. Since turning to boss roles, Inzaghi has faced Portuguese coaches 25 times across competitions, recording 12 wins, seven defeats, and six draws.

One memorable chapter came in the 2022-23 Champions League, when Inter Milan beat Porto away 1-0 through Romelu Lukaku, before a goalless return at the Dragão sealed the aggregate win and a place in the quarterfinals.

Domestically, Inzaghi has fared well against Portugal's big-name bosses too: six meetings with Jose Mourinho yielded five wins for the Italian; five clashes with Paulo Sousa yielded two wins each and a draw; and results against Paulo Fonseca were more balanced with a single win, two draws, and two losses.

Since moving to Saudi Arabia, Inzaghi's side have also claimed a league win over Al Ittihad, led by Sergio Conceição, by a 2-0 margin, followed by a King’s Cup victory over Al Ahod under Paulo Sérgio.

This backdrop adds an extra layer to the Gharafa tie, turning the match into a continuation of the Italian–Portuguese rivalry that has become a central thread in this continental duel.

Terrestrial dominance and historical clashes

Hilal’s run in continental clashes is not just about a single season; it reflects a long-running narrative. The team has dominated ties against many teams from the region, including 43 matches against Qatari clubs, with 25 wins, 10 draws, and 8 losses.

Among those encounters, Hilal and Gharafa have clashed seven times, with the Riyadh giants winning five, drawing once, and losing once in 2010 during a dramatic quarterfinal that even required extra time.

The latest head-to-head came last year when Hilal cruised to a 3-0 victory, courtesy of goals from Marcus Leonardo, Sergej Savic, and Aleksandar Mitrović, reinforcing the Blue Wave’s superiority in this fixture.

Moreover, Hilal remains the only side in both the East and West to have won all three group games, sitting ahead of heavyweight rivals such as Al Ahli Jeddah, Shabab Al-Ahli, and Al Wehda, which positions them as a strong favorite to progress.

Respectful realism from Inzaghi and Martins

Despite the comfortable statistics, Inzaghi refused to downplay the threat posed by Gharafa, emphasizing in his pre-match press conference the high technical level of the Qatari team. “We are facing a side that plays at a high level in their league,” he said, noting that he has watched Gharafa closely, praising their capable coach and the players who contribute strong performances.

Martins, for his part, highlighted his squad’s readiness while acknowledging several absences, underscoring a collective approach that remains robust in the face of adversity.

He also stressed that the tactical flexibility of the opposition would require discipline and focus, as Hilal will need to balance a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3 approach depending on the moment of the game.

As both coaches map out their plans, this fixture promises a multifaceted duel: strategic restraint, rapid transitions, and a potential moment of magic from a breakaway goal or a set piece to tilt the balance.