Al-Hilal out to banish minor slump against Riyadh rivals Al-Shabab

Al-Hilal’s top marksman Aleksandar Mitrovic. (X: @Alhilal_FC)
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Updated 29 November 2024
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Al-Hilal out to banish minor slump against Riyadh rivals Al-Shabab

  • Questions are being asked of the champions who last week dropped points in the SPL and AFC Champions League

DUBAI: Are all-conquering Al-Hilal fallible?

This is the question being posed after a week in which the holders were beaten — for the first time in a record 57 domestic matches — by dark horses Al-Khaleej to cede top spot in Roshn Saudi League to Al-Ittihad, then draw with Qatar’s Al-Sadd to be replaced at the AFC Champions League Elite League Stage’s West Region summit by Al-Ahli.

Although Champions League progress to the knockout stages by Al-Hilal — as well as the other Saudi clubs involved, Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr, has been confirmed — this mini slump has shaken predictions of a 2024-2025 procession for Jorge Jesus’s star-studded squad.

Arab News takes a look at issues from which rivals may take encouragement ahead of Saturday night’s derby at much-improved neighbors Al-Shabab.

Looking at the numbers

Naturally for a team this, uniquely, good, it’s not yet time to ring the alarm bell.

A return of two wins, two draws — Al-Hilal’s other dropped points came in the much-hyped Riyadh Derby at Al-Nassr on Nov. 1 — and one defeat from five matches is slightly concerning. But this followed a staggering run of 18 successive victories that included the 2023-2024 King’s Cup and 2024-2025 Saudi Super Cup successes.

Since Jesus was rehired at the start of last season, he’s overseen 68 wins, eight draws and just four defeats. The Portuguese mastermind is also in charge of leading scorers in this term’s RSL (29) and AFC Champions League (17).

All this has been achieved with only minimal appearances by Brazil megastar Neymar, because of injuries.

Nothing is forever in football.

Manchester City’s current travails in Europe demonstrate that maxim. Causes exist for Hilal concern.

No Neves, no party?

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

Hilal have not been the same since a knee injury necessitated, first, his removal in victory on Oct. 21 at Asian champions Al-Ain and, second, surgery earlier this month. Head physician Dr. Juan Jimenez anticipated a “return to match action in January,” meaning solutions must be found.

The Portugal defensive midfielder has excelled since being bought from Wolverhampton Wanderers, making a strong argument to be considered the smartest buy in the game-changing summer of 2023 recruitment drive across The Kingdom.

He is, also, a player without natural replacement in Hilal’s squad. A situation accentuated by pre-season exits by club icon Salman Al-Faraj to ambitious NEOM SC and a loan to Ettifaq for Abdulelah Al-Malki.

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

No one can question the ability of Mohamed Kanno, Nasser Al-Dawsari or Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. But this trio perform different midfield tasks to the waylaid Neves.

Hilal have kept only two clean sheets in seven matches since the 27-year-old was sidelined. This is a gap that must be plugged, especially after the impending winter break’s end versus Ittihad in the King’s Cup quarter-finals on Jan. 7, 2025.

Sterner opposition?

By the end of match week 11 in 2023-2024, Hilal had already accrued a four-point advantage over Nassr and were the division’s only unbeaten outfit.

Holders Ittihad were a distant sixth, eight points behind, and then-promoted Ahli were fifth on 22 points to the leaders’ 29.

Gargantuan improvement at Ittihad puts them one point ahead of champions Hilal at the same stage of the season, despite both Nassr and Ahli registering fewer points from their opening top-flight fixtures.

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 in all of 2023-2024 (nine goals in 21 outings).

This has been aided by the tremendous impacts of fellow Francophones Moussa Diaby — with a leading 10 assists — and last-gasp hero Houssem Aouar.

With N’Golo Kante and Fabinho patrolling midfield for the competition’s second-stingiest rearguard (eight goals conceded in 11 games), Ittihad are not budging in this engaging title battle.

Mitrovic dependence

Bafetimbi Gomis had looked irreplaceable in the hearts of Hilal supporters — that is, until Aleksandar Mitrovic showed up.

The Serbia center forward has exceeded all expectations since a protracted move from Fulham was finally completed in August 2023. He’s struck a formidable 59 times in 63 outings, on the way to four pieces of silverware.

In a strong support cast in 2023-2024, Malcom scored 25 times and Salem Al-Dawsari 24 times across all competitions, to Mitrovic’s 40. This season, he’s more of a solo act.

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

If Mitrovic doesn’t fire, it decreases Hilal’s odds of winning.

Summer signings yet to take prominence

Hilal’s sense of purpose to reclaim the RSL trophy in 2023-2024 was intense.

An ominous set of pre-season signings set the course for domestic dominance. This pre-season’s batch have yet to make similarly profound impressions.

Portugal right-back Joao Cancelo has saved his buccaneering best for Asian football, following his Manchester City move. A superb goal at Al-Rayyan and four assists in five outings is vastly superior to a return of two assists in nine league appearances.

It is a similar tale for Brazil youth forward Marcos Leonardo, scooped up from Benfica. Returns of two goals in four AFC games and two goals in two King’s Cup ties look far healthier than two goals in eight top-flight matches.

Availability issues have hampered rapid left-back Moteb Al-Harbi since being bought from Shabab, with one goal coming in six fixtures. Ettifaq loanee Khalid Al-Ghannam has, unsurprisingly, got one assist to show from six fleeting appearances.

Competition for places is fierce. This second wave of signings under Jesus must fight for every minute on the pitch.

A greater threat of being usurped could give a required jolt to the existing Hilal squad for the challenges ahead.


Bellingham leads Madrid past Mallorca to set up a Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona

Updated 10 January 2025
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Bellingham leads Madrid past Mallorca to set up a Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona

  • Bellingham blasted in the third shot in a row by Madrid after Rodrygo initially hit the post
  • Madrid tacked on two goals late in stoppage time

JEDDAH: Jude Bellingham scored again to lead Real Madrid into the Spanish Super Cup final with a 3-0 win over Mallorca in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
The England midfielder, who led Madrid in scoring last season, started this campaign slowly but has netted seven goals in his last eight Spanish league games.
He notched another goal in 63rd minute of the Super Cup semifinal when he finally broke down a tough Mallorca that until his goal had imposed their defensive style on the star-studded Madrid.
Bellingham blasted in the third shot in a row by Madrid after Rodrygo initially hit the post and goalkeeper Dominik Greif blocked a follow-up by Kylian Mbappé.
Bellingham collected the rebound and slotted his shot from just outside the six-yard box under the on-rushing Greif and past three defenders who were trying to protect the goalmouth.
Madrid tacked on two goals late in stoppage time. Mallorca’s Martin Valjent scored an own goal when he inadvertently turned a pass by Brahim Díaz into his net. Rodrygo then took Madrid’s third.
The match ended with a short scuffle after the final whistle before calm was restored.
Barcelona await Madrid in Sunday’s final.
Madrid lost Aurélien Tchouaméni, a midfielder playing as a central defender, in the 54th after he took a hard knock to the head during a collision with a Mallorca player.
Youth player Raúl Asencio replaced him.
Madrid were competing as last season’s Spanish league champion, while Mallorca were invited as the runner-up in the Copa del Rey.
Former Madrid striker Karim Benzema, who now plays in the Saudi Arabian league, was in attendance.
The minor trophy has become a major cash maker for the federation and competing clubs since the federation struck a deal in 2019 to hold it in the Middle Eastern kingdom.


Ronaldo penalty and Mane double propel Al-Nassr to 3-1 victory

Updated 10 January 2025
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Ronaldo penalty and Mane double propel Al-Nassr to 3-1 victory

  • After Savior Godwin gave Okhdood an early lead, former Liverpool star Sadio Mane leveled after 29 minutes
  • Ronaldo, who signed for Al-Nassr two years ago, put the Riyadh club ahead from the penalty spot three minutes before the break

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 11th goal of the season to help Al-Nassr defeat Al-Okhdood 3-1 on Thursday as the Saudi Pro League restarted after a month’s break.
After Savior Godwin gave Okhdood an early lead, former Liverpool star Sadio Mane leveled after 29 minutes.
Ronaldo, who signed for Al-Nassr two years ago, put the Riyadh club ahead from the penalty spot three minutes before the break.
The 39-year-old Portugal star was top scorer last season and is now one goal behind Aleksandar Mitrovic of Al-Hilal in the current rankings.
Mane added his second in the 88th minute as Al-Nassr moved into third in the standings, six points behind Al-Hilal and eight behind leader Al-Ittihad.


Atletico blast decision to let Barca’s Olmo play as dissent grows

Updated 10 January 2025
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Atletico blast decision to let Barca’s Olmo play as dissent grows

  • The Catalans sought and were granted a precautionary measure by the CSD on Wednesday
  • Las Palmas were also upset with the decision by the CSD

MADRID: La Liga team Atletico Madrid criticized on Thursday a “dangerous precedent” set by the Spanish national sports council (CSD) to allow Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo to play on a temporary basis after his license expired.
Olmo and forward Pau Victor were unregistered by La Liga after Barcelona failed to get their short-term licenses extended before the end of 2024.
The Catalans sought and were granted a precautionary measure by the CSD on Wednesday, while their case against La Liga and the Spanish football federation’s decision is analyzed, which would allow Olmo and Victor to play until there is a final ruling.
“Atletico Madrid wish to express their deep concern about the situation in Spanish football following the resolution adopted this Wednesday by the (CSD),” said the club in a statement.
“We believe that this decision puts the current system in jeopardy, questioning the rules of the game.
“This government intervention creates a very dangerous precedent, as it opens the door to breaking the rules and making the same serious mistakes of the past.”
Financially-struggling Barcelona were not in a position to register Olmo and Victor under La Liga’s strict financial fair play rules, until they agreed a deal to sell some VIP seats to Middle Eastern investors in late December, with the paperwork not ready until after the deadline.
Without the missing players Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao to reach Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia.
Las Palmas were also upset with the decision by the CSD.
“We believe that this decision poses a serious threat to the integrity of the competition and sets a worrying precedent that could destabilize the foundations of professional football in our country,” said Las Palmas in a statement.
La Liga president Javier Tebas railed against the decision to let Olmo and Victor play, calling the situation a “tragicomedy” in a post on social media.
Tebas expressed his surprise at the CSD measure and highlighted that it contradicted previous decisions made by the council and some courts.


Continental Europe and Great Britain & Ireland set for Team Cup showdown in Abu Dhabi

Updated 10 January 2025
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Continental Europe and Great Britain & Ireland set for Team Cup showdown in Abu Dhabi

  • Europe captain Francesco Molinari faces off against fellow major champion and Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose, who leads GB&I
  • The event tees off on Friday with a fourballs session, is followed on Saturday by 2 sessions of foursomes and concludes with singles on Sunday

ABU DHABI: Continental Europe, led by captain Francesco Molinari, begin their defense of the Team Cup against Great Britain & Ireland at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort on Friday.
The Italian, who became the first golfer from his country to become a major champion when he triumphed at The Open in 2019, was in charge when the Europeans claimed a 14½-10½ victory over GB&I, captained by Tommy Fleetwood, at the inaugural event (then called the Hero Cup) in 2023, personally contributing three-and-a-half points to the cause.
This time, Molinari is facing face off against fellow major champion, and Ryder Cup teammate, Justin Rose, who is captaining the opposition in an event that serves as an important part of Europe’s Ryder Cup preparations ahead of this year’s contest at Bethpage in New York in September.
The members of the two, 10-man Team Cup squads boast a combined total of 69 DP World Tour titles between them, and include four Ryder Cup players: Molinari, Rose, Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton.
“I think that the experience from two years ago is going to come in handy,” Molinari said. “I think a lot of the stuff that we did worked. I think obviously we were lucky to get the support from my brother and the other past Ryder Cup captains.”
Rose said of his role as captain: “It’s an honor, first and foremost. I think it’s been something that’s sort of been on my mind. Because, obviously, sometimes when you play as a player, you’re obviously preparing all the time for tournaments that come up but when you have something like this looming large, you start thinking about it months in advance.”
The Team Cup is a matchplay contest that tees off on Friday with a fourballs session, is followed on Saturday by two sessions of foursomes, and concludes with singles on Sunday. Every player competes in each of the sessions.
Rose will be in action in the first match on the opening day alongside five-time DP World Tour winner Matt Wallace. They will take on the French pair of Romain Langasque, who won the Amateur Championship in 2015, and Matthieu Pavon, who last season became the first Frenchman for more than 100 years to win on the PGA Tour.
Five-time DP World Tour winner Rasmus Hojgaard, who missed the 2023 event as a result of injury, will partner last year’s Challenge Tour Road to Mallorca Rankings winner Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen against the English pair of Laurie Canter and Jordan Smith.
Alongside the action on the course, there will be a host of activities and events throughout the three days of the event for fans to enjoy. This includes musical entertainment, which begins on Friday with a performance by Irish singer Rory McGettigan. On Saturday, Shades of Jade will take the stage with their dynamic blend of jazz, pop, funk and party classics. After the champions are crowned on the 18th green on Sunday, singer-guitarist The Dazzler will round off the event with an evening of his signature singalongs.


Everton fire manager Dyche hours before a game in first big call by new American owners

Updated 09 January 2025
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Everton fire manager Dyche hours before a game in first big call by new American owners

  • Everton announced the move just hours before hosting third-tier Peterborough in the FA Cup third round
  • “The process to appoint a new manager is underway and an update will be provided in due course,” Everton said

LONDON: In the first big call by its new American owners, Everton fired manager Sean Dyche on Thursday with the team just two spots above the relegation zone in the Premier League.
Everton announced the move just hours before hosting third-tier Peterborough in the FA Cup third round.
The storied club — a nine-time English champion which have been without a major trophy since 1995 — were bought last month by the Texas-based Friedkin Group in a deal reportedly worth in excess of 400 million pounds ($495 million).
Fronted by Dan Friedkin and his son Ryan, the group also owns Italian team Roma and has made itself unpopular with supporters of the Serie A club for making contentious management changes — including firing Daniele De Rossi, the club’s beloved former captain, early this season.
Removing Dyche might have been necessary, however, with Everton having won just one of their last 11 league games and scoring in just three of them. With 15 goals from their 19 games, Everton are the second-lowest scorer in the division and have plunged to just one point above the bottom three.
“The process to appoint a new manager is underway and an update will be provided in due course,” Everton said in a statement.
Dyche was in charge for nearly two years, during which he maintained Everton’s status as an ever-present in England’s top division since 1954. His style of play was pragmatic and often turgid, relying on not conceding goals more than providing entertainment — and that might be something the Friedkins look to change.
Everton said Leighton Baines, a former player and the club’s under-18s coach, and current club captain Seamus Coleman will take charge of the team on an interim basis.
Everton’s next Premier League game is on Wednesday against Aston Villa.