Three Faces of the Derby: How a Flawed Build Sapped Ittihad in a 2-0 Clasico Loss

Overview

Al-Ittihad suffered another setback in what was supposed to be a standout season after clinching the Saudi league and the King's Cup last year. They were defeated 2-0 by their arch-rivals Al-Hilal in Round 6 of the Roshen Saudi Pro League, at the Enmaa Stadium in Riyadh.

The club now faces questions about identity after major coaching changes, with Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição replacing Laurent Blanc, who left after another 2-0 Clasico loss to Al-Nassr in Round 4. The gap in on-field personality was evident as Al-Hilal showed more resolve in finishing chances. This piece, framed as “The Good, The Ferocious, and The Ugly,” spotlights three individuals who left a clear imprint on the game.

The match underscored that Al-Ittihad’s defense and midfield still require cohesion, while Al-Hilal dictated tempo and exploited opportunities more efficiently. In attack, Benzema and Diaby found little space, and the hosts’ rhythm lacked the necessary bite.hamid Al-Shenqiti’s earlier errors also loomed over the evening, contributing to a tough night for the defense.

The Good, The Ferocious, and The Ugly

The Good: Hassan Tambakti. Tambakti anchored the visitors’ defense with composed anticipation, repeatedly intercepting key balls and neutralizing danger for Benzema and Diaby. His performance offered a glimmer of structural integrity in an otherwise fluctuating display, and it answered doubts once voiced by former coach Jorge Jesus about his ceiling by showing discipline and resilience on the backline.

The Ferocious: Marcus Leonardo. Leonardo’s display was relentless from the opening minutes, starting with a shot that kissed the post and continuing with sustained pressure on the defense. He sealed the match with a follow-up goal, while tallying 11 touches in 73 minutes and delivering five in the opponent’s box, with near-perfect passing accuracy. His aggression tested Danilo Pereira’s ability to stem the attack, and his energy epitomized Hilal’s control of the contest.

The Ugly: Mamadou Doumbia. Doumbia’s miscue early in the match set the tone unfavorably for Al-Ittihad, as an attempted clearance turned into the opening goal for Hilal. His night failed to provide the needed attacking threat or defensive reliability, and two defensive misreads—coupled with Hamid Al-Shenqiti’s costly error on a late cross—helped seal the result for the visitors.

In the end, the clash illustrated that Conceição’s rebuild still requires time to bear fruit, with defensive organization and midfield rhythm at the center of the challenge. As the night closed, Hilal capitalized on the gaps and demonstrated how a sharper, more unified performance can tilt a Derby in a single evening.

Punchline time: If confusion were a tactic, Ittihad would be world champions. And if a playbook could be read by anyone, Conceição’s would need subtitles – because right now the plot is still under construction.

Punchline two: The whistle should come with sunglasses on, because Conceição’s game plan looks like it’s wearing shades to hide its own transparency.