Al-Hilal wants to prevent the small break-in against its Riyadh rival Al-Shabab

Al-Hilal wants to prevent the small break-in against its Riyadh rival Al-Shabab

DUBAI: Are the all-controlling Al-Hilal fallible?

That is the question that arises after a week in which the defending champions were beaten – for the first time in a record 57 domestic games – by underdogs Al-Khaleej, handing top spot in the Roshn Saudi League to Al-Ittihad and then drew with Qatar Al-Sadd will be replaced by Al-Ahli at the West Region Summit of the AFC Champions League Elite League Stage.

Although Al-Hilal, as well as the other Saudi clubs involved Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr, have confirmed their place in the knockout rounds of the Champions League, this small dip has undermined the predictions for Jorge Jesus’ star’s rise to the top Years 2024 to 2025 shaken – occupied squad.

Arab News takes a look at issues that could embolden rivals ahead of Saturday night’s derby at much-improved neighbors Al-Shabab.

Look at the numbers

Of course, for such a uniquely good team, it’s not time to sound the alarm bell yet.

The return of two wins, two draws – Al-Hilal’s other lost points came in the much-hyped Riyadh derby at Al-Nassr on November 1 – and one defeat from five games is somewhat worrying. But that was followed by a stunning run of 18 consecutive victories, including successes in the 2023-2024 King’s Cup and 2024-2025 Saudi Super Cup.

Since being reinstated at the start of last season, Jesus has overseen 68 wins, eight draws and just four losses. The Portuguese mastermind is also responsible for the top scorers in the RSL (29) and the AFC Champions League (17) this season.

All of this was achieved despite Brazilian megastar Neymar only making minimal appearances due to injury.

Nothing lasts forever in football.

Manchester City’s current difficulties in Europe prove this maxim. There are reasons for Hilal’s concern.

No Neves, no party?

It feels outrageous to pick one name from a galaxy of superstars, but Ruben Neves is a special case.

Hilal is no longer the same, with a knee injury first requiring his removal from the Oct. 21 win at Asian champions Al-Ain and second requiring surgery earlier this month. Chief physician Dr. Juan Jimenez expected a “return to play in January,” which means solutions will have to be found.

The Portugal defensive midfielder has excelled since his purchase from Wolverhampton Wanderers and makes a strong case to be considered the smartest buy in the ground-breaking UK-wide recruitment drive in the summer of 2023.

He is also a player without a natural replacement in the Hilal squad. A situation that is made even worse by the departure of club icon Salman Al-Faraj before the season to the ambitious NEOM SC and a loan from Abdulelah Al-Malki to Ettifaq.

This is not the case with injured attackers Neymar and Salem Al-Dawsari, despite their incredible talents.

Nobody can question the abilities of Mohamed Kanno, Nasser Al-Dawsari or Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. But this trio fulfills different midfield tasks than the ambushed Neves.

Since the 27-year-old’s loss, Hilal has only kept two clean sheets in seven games. This is a gap that needs to be filled, especially after the end of the upcoming winter break against Ittihad in the quarter-finals of the King’s Cup on January 7, 2025.

Tougher opposition?

At the end of Gameweek 11 2023-2024, Hilal already had a four-point lead over Nassr and were the only undefeated team in the division.

Defending champions Ittihad were a distant sixth, eight points behind, and then-promoted Ahli were fifth with 22 points, while the leader had 29 points.

Ittihad’s huge improvement puts them a point ahead of champions Hilal at the same stage of the season, although both Nassr and Ahli have recorded fewer points from their first games in the top flight.

Laurent Blanc’s summer arrival in Jeddah has rejuvenated 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema. His RSL tally of eight goals in eight games is just one less than the total of 2023-2024 (nine goals in 21 games).

This was supported by the tremendous performance of French-speaking compatriot Moussa Diaby – leading the way with ten assists – and last-second hero Houssem Aouar.

With N’Golo Kante and Fabinho in midfield forming the second stingiest defense in the competition (eight goals conceded in eleven games), Ittihad is not giving up in this exciting title fight.

Mitrovic dependency

Bafetimbi Gomis seemed irreplaceable in the hearts of Hilal supporters – until Aleksandar Mitrovic came along.

The Serbian center forward has exceeded all expectations since his lengthy move from Fulham was finally completed in August 2023. He scored an impressive 59 goals in 63 appearances, securing four titles.

In a strong supporting cast in 2023–2024, Malcom scored 25 goals and Salem Al-Dawsari 24 goals in all competitions, while Mitrovic scored 40 goals. This season he is more of a solo artist.

The shocking tally of 19 goals in 20 appearances dwarfs those of compatriot Milinkovic-Savic (six), Salem Al-Dawsari and Marcos Leonardo (both seven) and Malcom (three).

If Mitrovic doesn’t shoot, Hilal’s chances of winning decrease.

The new signings in the summer are not yet the focus

Hilal’s determination to win back the RSL trophy in 2023-2024 was strong.

A series of ominous pre-season signings set the stage for domestic dominance. This pre-season team has not yet made a similarly profound impression.

Portuguese right-back Joao Cancelo has saved his buccaneering best for Asian football after moving to Manchester City. An excellent goal at Al-Rayyan and four assists in five games is far better than a return of two assists in nine league appearances.

The Brazilian youth striker Marcos Leonardo, who was taken over from Benfica, has a similar situation. The return of two goals in four AFC games and two goals in two King’s Cup games seems far healthier than two goals in eight top-flight games.

Availability issues have hampered speedy left-back Moteb Al-Harbi since he was bought from Shabab, scoring one goal in six games. Unsurprisingly, Ettifaq loanee Khalid Al-Ghannam had one assist in six short appearances.

The competition for places is fierce. This second wave of signings under Jesus will have to fight for every minute on the pitch.

A greater threat of usurpation could give the existing Hilal force the boost it needs to face the challenges ahead.

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