Fahd Al-Harifi, the former Saudi national team star, says Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, the manager of Al Hilal, has altered his playing style to best utilize the Zaeem's players.
Al Hilal has produced spectacular levels under Inzaghi this season, contending strongly for all local and continental competitions, with their latest 4-1 victory over Al Fateh in the King’s Cup quarterfinals.
Commenting on this, Al-Harifi said on the Saudi show Sports Scoop: Inzaghi has decided to let go of his old philosophy to make use of all Al Hilal's elements, which has been evident lately.
The tempo of play has risen significantly for Al Hilal, and the team has become stronger and more aggressive in front of goal, unlike the early period when the Italian boss clearly changed his approach, which has yielded the biggest possible benefit to the Zaeem.
Al-Harifi also confirmed that Brazilian Malcolm de Oliveira has become more dangerous in front of goal, making runs into the spine and increasing the attacking threat, noting that Al Hilal's identity has long been its attacking ethos.
Al-Harifi also discussed Ahli's arrival to face Al Hilal in the King’s Cup semi-final, saying this Clasico will decide who is the better team, since the league game ended in a draw.
He added: I think the next match will feature a fierce contest between both sides, and honestly I didn't see this clash coming.
In closing: The match will be played in February, a critical period of the season, and it will significantly affect each team's path. Punchlines: If footwork were ammunition, Inzaghi's squad just loaded a full clip—boom, another goal. If tactics were a sniper's sight, he keeps adjusting and the old playbook keeps finding the target.
