RIYADH — After leading the Saudi Pro League by seven points just six weeks ago, Al Hilal now find themselves third in the table, amid a sharp and worrying decline in performances under Simone Inzaghi.What once looked like a comfortable title charge has turned into a period of confusion and inconsistency.Al Hilal have won only two of their past seven league matches, drawing five, a run that has cost them 10 points and, ultimately, top spot.The downturn has not been subtle. Across recent fixtures, the team has appeared tactically predictable, lacking attacking sharpness and variety.Questions are now being asked not only about the players’ form but also about Inzaghi’s match management and decision-making.Despite receiving strong backing in the winter transfer window, with several reinforcements brought in across different positions, many of the new signings have not been consistently utilized in league matches.That has raised further doubts: Were the signings made without the coach’s approval? Or were they recruited at his request, only to be sidelined?The puzzling aspect is that several regular starters have delivered underwhelming performances in recent weeks, yet Inzaghi has largely persisted with them. Even as results slipped and momentum faded, few of those struggling have been dropped in favor of winter arrivals.After the recent draw against Al Taawoun, Inzaghi stated in his post-match press conference that the team had performed well and saw no need for substitutions.The comment raised eyebrows. Hilal lacked attacking efficiency, created limited clear chances, and showed little tactical variation, yet the coach publicly expressed satisfaction.The contradiction became even more apparent in stoppage time. Three Hilal players were seen preparing to enter the pitch in the 90th minute before Inzaghi reversed his decision and asked them to sit back down. If the team did not need changes, why prepare substitutions at such a critical moment? The episode fueled further speculation about the absence of a clear tactical strategy.Against Al Taawoun, Inzaghi made only two substitutions both enforced. One came after an injury to Hamad Al Yami, replaced by Moteb Al Harbi, and the other saw Ali Lajami enter for Hassan Al Tambakti due to discomfort. There were no tactical adjustments despite the team’s struggles in front of goal.In previous matches, substitution patterns have appeared repetitive, often limited to full-back rotations and typically delayed until around the 70th minute or later. Even when the team clearly required intervention earlier, changes were postponed until the final 20 minutes, leaving little time to influence outcomes.The result of this approach has been costly. From a seven-point cushion at the summit to third place in a matter of weeks, Hilal’s slide has transformed the title race and intensified scrutiny on Inzaghi’s leadership at a decisive stage of the season.RIYADH — After leading the Saudi Pro League by seven points just six weeks ago, Al Hilal now find themselves third in the table, amid a sharp and worrying decline in performances under Simone Inzaghi.What once looked like a comfortable title charge has turned into a period of confusion and inconsistency.Al Hilal have won only two of their past seven league matches, drawing five, a run that has cost them 10 points and, ultimately, top spot.The downturn has not been subtle. Across recent fixtures, the team has appeared tactically predictable, lacking attacking sharpness and variety.Questions are now being asked not only about the players’ form but also about Inzaghi’s match management and decision-making.Despite receiving strong backing in the winter transfer window, with several reinforcements brought in across different positions, many of the new signings have not been consistently utilized in league matches.That has raised further doubts: Were the signings made without the coach’s approval? Or were they recruited at his request, only to be sidelined?The puzzling aspect is that several regular starters have delivered underwhelming performances in recent weeks, yet Inzaghi has largely persisted with them. Even as results slipped and momentum faded, few of those struggling have been dropped in favor of winter arrivals.After the recent draw against Al Taawoun, Inzaghi stated in his post-match press conference that the team had performed well and saw no need for substitutions.The comment raised eyebrows. Hilal lacked attacking efficiency, created limited clear chances, and showed little tactical variation, yet the coach publicly expressed satisfaction.The contradiction became even more apparent in stoppage time. Three Hilal players were seen preparing to enter the pitch in the 90th minute before Inzaghi reversed his decision and asked them to sit back down. If the team did not need changes, why prepare substitutions at such a critical moment? The episode fueled further speculation about the absence of a clear tactical strategy.Against Al Taawoun, Inzaghi made only two substitutions both enforced. One came after an injury to Hamad Al Yami, replaced by Moteb Al Harbi, and the other saw Ali Lajami enter for Hassan Al Tambakti due to discomfort. There were no tactical adjustments despite the team’s struggles in front of goal.In previous matches, substitution patterns have appeared repetitive, often limited to full-back rotations and typically delayed until around the 70th minute or later. Even when the team clearly required intervention earlier, changes were postponed until the final 20 minutes, leaving little time to influence outcomes.The result of this approach has been costly. From a seven-point cushion at the summit to third place in a matter of weeks, Hilal’s slide has transformed the title race and intensified scrutiny on Inzaghi’s leadership at a decisive stage of the season.
Al Hilal slump raises serious questions over Inzaghi’s management
