Al-Hilal's Rollercoaster Match: Inzaghi Addresses Team's Performance

Al-Hilal walked off at half-time looking untouchable, three goals clear and cruising. By the hour mark, that comfort had vanished. A ragged second-half spell opened the door, and Al-Faisaly stormed through it with two quick strikes in five frantic minutes.

The wobble left coach Inzaghi with as many questions as his players, and he did not hide from the dip when he spoke to Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat.

“In the first half we played wonderfully, and in the second half there was a lack of output from some of the players, but we can improve that,” he said, laying out the contrast in blunt terms.

The Italian was just as direct about his own role in the collapse.

“In the second half there was a drop in level, and this is something we suffered from as a coaching staff, but we always work to make our fans happy.”

Theo, Malcom and the market noise

Among the biggest talking points around Al-Hilal has been the continued absence of French full-back Theo Hernandez, who has been training with the group but is yet to feature.

Inzaghi moved to calm any concern.

“Theo Hernandez arrived late to the group, and did not get a sufficient number of training sessions, and soon we will see him with the team,” he explained, suggesting the wait will not be long.

On the other flank of the debate sits Malcom, whose name has been heavily linked with newly promoted Al-Diriyah during the current summer transfer window. The Brazilian responded on the pitch with a strong display, and his coach made sure to underline it.

“Malcom put in an excellent performance, and he must continue to deliver at this level,” Inzaghi said, before drawing a firm line under the transfer chatter. “I do not want to talk about the transfer window, because that is a matter for the sporting management.”

Benzema flashpoint

If the second-half slump raised tension in the stands, Karim Benzema’s reaction to being substituted in the 70th minute added another layer on the touchline. The French striker bristled at the decision, sparking a storm of debate around the club.

Inzaghi played down any notion of a rift.

“It was a conversation between a coach and his player, which included some banter and talk about the course of the match,” he said of their post-game exchange. “As a striker, he always works to be present in attacking situations.”

A reminder that, for all the noise, both men share the same obsession: deciding games in the final third.

Backing the next wave

Amid the scrutiny on stars and transfers, Inzaghi also made a point of turning the spotlight on his younger players, insisting the pathway remains open.

“We have players of a high level, and Sabri Dahl will get his chance in the future, him and the rest of the young players,” he said.

A warning, perhaps, to anyone assuming Al-Hilal’s story this season will be written only by the biggest names.