Inzaghi blames fatigue as depleted Al Hilal suffer shock defeat at Al Shamal
Al Shamal produced the biggest result of their AFC Champions League Elite campaign on Tuesday, beating an understrength Al Hilal 3-1 at Al Bayt Stadium to hand the Saudi Pro League leaders their first defeat of the league phase. With Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez making his second start for Shamal in as many games, the Qatari side went ahead early through Wesley Said before Al Hilal captain Salem…
A depleted Al Hilal suffered a surprising 3-1 loss to AFC Champions League Elite leaders Al Shamal at Al Bayt Stadium on Tuesday. The match marked the Saudi Pro League leaders' first defeat of the league phase. Early in the game, Wesley Said scored for Al Shamal, who went on to take the lead with Wesley Said's goal. Salem Al Dawsari restored Al Hilal's lead, but Baghdad Bounedjah and Mohamed Ben Romdhane goals sealed the victory for Shamal.
Hamid Al Dawsari attributed the loss to fatigue, noting that Al Hilal's performance was below expectations. Midfielders Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic did not play, while Gabriel Martinelli was injured and Crysencio Summerville was suspended. The defeat moved Al Hilal to six points from three matches, while Al Shamal moved up to five points after drawing their first two games.
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