Fearless in the Saudi Derby: Deayea's Quiet Confidence Ahead of Al-Hilal vs Al-Nassr
5 January 2026
Match Preview
Mohammed Al-Deayea, the legendary former goalkeeper of Al-Hilal, says facing Al-Nassr does not scare him in general, noting that he never feared Real Madrid or Manchester City in the past.
This season's race for the Roshen title is fierce, with Al-Hilal grabbing the lead last round at 32 points, one point ahead of Al-Nassr.
The current momentum sets the stage for their round-15 showdown on Monday, January 12, as both teams chase the prize.
On the Saudi program "Our World", Deayea explained the upcoming match against Al-Nassr will be tough, but it does not mean he fears playing the "global giants".
He added: "I did not fear Real Madrid or Manchester City, and before facing them I clearly stated I do not fear facing the world's strongest clubs, so why fear Al-Nassr?"
He continued: "I trust Al-Hilal's ability to shift this dynamic; we even beat Manchester City 4-0, but I still respect Al-Nassr'.
Discussing the title race, Deayea said the early schedule looked easy for Al-Nassr, but the team has yet to exploit the numerical disadvantage plaguing several clubs, especially Al-Ahli.
He added that Al-Nassr fans did not talk about easy fixtures at the start, but once the squad stumbled, talk about a tough schedule resurfaced.
If Al-Hilal can implement coach Simone Inzaghi's system effectively, Deayea believes the club can win all trophies, though he noted some players may struggle to adapt.
Looking ahead, Al-Hilal faces Al-Hazm, while Al-Nassr meet Al-Qadisah on Thursday in Round 14 of the Roshen, with the clubs meeting again in the next round to a much-anticipated clash that will draw broad public and media attention.
Punchline 1: Even his warmups are clean sheets—fear has no parking here.
Punchline 2: If nerves blink, Deayea blinks back and keeps the ball from crying foul.
