Inzaghi Under Fire: Journalist Questions Hلال Manager After الاتحاد Draw | Saudi League

Al-Hilal’s grip on the Saudi Pro League lead loosened this weekend following a 1-1 draw with Al-Ittihad, a result that allowed Al-Nassr to leapfrog them into first place. The stalemate, played on February 21, 2026, came despite Al-Hilal enjoying a significant numerical advantage for over 80 minutes after Al-Ittihad’s Hassen Kadish received a straight red card.

The match at Kingdom Arena saw Al-Hilal take an early lead through Malcom, set up by a pass from Karim Benzema. However, Al-Ittihad responded in the second half with a goal from Houssem Aouar, leveling the score and ultimately denying Al-Hilal the victory they needed to maintain their position at the summit. Despite dominating possession and registering 21 shots on goal, with an expected goals (xG) value of 2.48 compared to Al-Ittihad’s 0.77, Simone Inzaghi’s side couldn’t find a winner.

The draw has sparked criticism, with questions being raised about the team’s performance and Inzaghi’s leadership. A post on social media by sports journalist عبدالرحمن الجماز, featuring a picture of Inzaghi after the match, questioned who was responsible for bringing the Italian manager to the club, asking, “The old question anew: who trapped Al-Hilal with this coach?”

Inzaghi himself acknowledged the frustration of the fans following the match, stating he understood their anger. According to reports, he also praised Al-Ittihad’s resilience, noting their steadfastness and cohesion throughout the game. He highlighted Al-Hilal’s strong first-half performance, suggesting they should have scored more goals, but conceded they didn’t perform to the same level after the break. He also pointed to unfavorable officiating decisions, stating that “during the match the collisions were not in our favor.”

The Al-Hilal manager also credited Al-Ittihad’s goalkeeper with a strong performance, noting he made two crucial saves. “Today we didn’t play the game well,” Inzaghi said, “and we must, in the future, deliver the performance that satisfies our fans.”

The result is particularly disappointing for Al-Hilal given their earlier advantage. Opta’s supercomputer had given them a 63.6% chance of winning before kickoff, a figure that jumped to 93% after Kadish’s red card. The inability to capitalize on that advantage proved costly, allowing Al-Nassr, who secured a dominant victory over Al-Hazem, to seize the league lead.

The Saudi Pro League is becoming increasingly competitive, with Al-Nassr’s win demonstrating the depth of quality within the league. Al-Hilal’s failure to secure all three points raises questions about their consistency and ability to perform under pressure. While they remain a strong contender for the title, they will need to address the issues highlighted by Inzaghi – particularly their second-half performance and inability to convert chances – if they are to regain the top spot.

The match also saw notable performances from other key players. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic had a header that went just wide, and Theo Hernandez was denied a goal from a tight angle. However, these individual efforts weren’t enough to overcome Al-Ittihad’s determined defense and the inspired performance of their goalkeeper.

Looking ahead, Al-Hilal will need to analyze the match carefully and correct their mistakes. Inzaghi has promised to do just that, but the pressure is now on to deliver results. The team’s fans will be expecting a significant improvement in their next outing, as they look to reclaim their position at the top of the Saudi Pro League table. The league standings are tight, and every point will be crucial in the remaining matches of the season.

The question posed by عبدالرحمن الجماز reflects a growing sense of unease among Al-Hilal supporters. The appointment of Inzaghi was met with optimism, but recent results, particularly the inability to break down a 10-man Al-Ittihad, have led to doubts about his suitability for the role. Whether the club will stand by their manager or seek a change remains to be seen, but the pressure is mounting.