‘We have to be calm’ – Inzaghi urges perspective as Al Hilal’s winning run ends

2026-01-26 - 13:24

RIYADH — Al Hilal head coach Simone Inzaghi called for composure and perspective after his side’s remarkable 13-match winning run in the Roshn Saudi League came to an end with a 1-1 derby draw against Al Riyadh SC on Sunday.The result marked Al Hilal’s first dropped points in 14 league matches, but the reigning contenders remain firmly in control of the title race, sitting top of the table with a five-point cushion at the halfway stage of the 2025–26 season.Al Hilal had taken the lead through Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo, before Ibrahim Bayesh equalised for Al Riyadh shortly before the hour mark. While the late setback denied the capital club a 14th straight league win, Inzaghi stressed that the broader picture remains positive.“After 21 games in all competitions, this is our first draw,” Inzaghi said. “We are the top team in the league. Tonight, we could have done more, but we weren’t very lucky.“We played a very good first half and created several chances, but we didn’t manage to double our advantage. In the second half, we didn’t perform at the same level and made a mistake from a set-piece, which cost us the draw.“We tried everything after that, but we couldn’t take the three points. We will analyse the game calmly with the players and understand where we can improve. After so many wins, we draw once – we have to stay calm and keep working.”The draw was Al Hilal’s first since their dramatic 3-3 encounter with Al Ahli Saudi FC in Matchweek 3 back in September, a result that underlines just how dominant Inzaghi’s side have been this season.Despite the setback, Al Hilal remain favourites to reclaim the league crown they last won in record-breaking fashion in the 2023–24 campaign. Chasing them are Al Ahli in second place, with Al Qadsiah FC a point further back in third. Al Nassr FC could yet shake up the standings with a win over Al Taawoun FC on Monday, which would lift them above Al Ahli on goal difference while keeping the gap to Al Hilal at five points.Leonardo, who moved to nine league goals for the season with his opener, echoed his coach’s measured tone, insisting the single point could prove valuable come the end of the campaign.“We knew it was going to be a very difficult game,” Leonardo said. “The wind affected our style of play, but that’s football.“The championship is long. We knew there would be tough matches like this. We took a point, and I believe this point will be very important for us in the end, in our pursuit of the title.”As the Roshn Saudi League heads into its decisive second half, Al Hilal’s message is clear: one draw changes little, and calm heads remain central to their title ambitions.