Al-Deayea declares war on Inzaghi: 'He is tearing Al-Hilal down'

The 2-0 defeat to Neom in Round 6 of the Roshn Saudi Pro League not only ended Al-Hilal's unbeaten run but also opened the biggest confidence crisis since Simone Inzaghi took charge. Immediately after the final whistle, former Saudi Arabia national team goalkeeper legend Mohamed Al-Deayea went on television with scathing remarks: "Al-Hilal is being demolished by Inzaghi." This attack was not just about the result of one match; it was a verdict on the entire tactical philosophy of the Italian coach. Al-Deayea is no stranger to Al-Hilal. He spent his entire career with the club and was Saudi Arabia's number one goalkeeper for over a decade. Therefore, his criticism carries special weight in the dressing room and among fans. Speaking on the television program "Doreena Ghair," Al-Deayea revealed he had been pessimistic about Inzaghi since last season. The defeat to Neom, a newly established club linked to the NEOM megaproject, was simply the last straw. "Inzaghi's presence means Al-Hilal will not win the domestic league or the AFC Champions League Elite," the Saudi legend said bluntly. The issue Inzaghi faces is not just one defeat. Al-Deayea accused the Italian tactician of lacking a "clear method," causing many players to underperform. "The management builds, and Inzaghi demolishes," Al-Deayea criticized. "They gave him everything. Had another coach been in his place, the team would have achieved incredible results." This is a serious accusation because it does not blame individual errors but points to the invisibility of a tactical system. Al-Hilal boasts a star-studded squad with European-level names, but under Inzaghi, they lack a recognizable identity. From a tactical perspective, Inzaghi is known for his 3-5-2 formation and wing-back-dependent attacking patterns during his time at Inter Milan. However, the Saudi Pro League has its own characteristics: physicality, transition speed, and the emergence of newly wealthy clubs like Neom. If Inzaghi stubbornly imposes his old system without adapting, it is understandable that Al-Hilal encounters deadlock against deep-lying defenses. Al-Deayea may have spotted that blind spot. The loss to Neom was not just a poor result; it exposed Inzaghi's lack of tactical flexibility. Notably, Al-Deayea also mentioned Karim Benzema in his statement: "That is the reason Benzema left." In reality, Benzema plays for Al-Ittihad, not Al-Hilal. Al-Deayea may have confused the clubs, or he might be referring to a specific transfer. However, if taken broadly, he is hinting at a common pattern: coaches without clear methods cause big stars to waste their talent. This raises questions about managerial quality in the Saudi Pro League, where huge investments can be burned by instability on the bench. The context of the Saudi Pro League is changing rapidly. The four major clubs—Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli—are all owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). The rise of Neom, a team directly tied to the NEOM megaproject, further intensifies competition. Al-Hilal losing to Neom is no longer as shocking as before, as the opponent also has abundant financial resources. However, the pressure on Al-Hilal is always greater because the club is expected to win every competition it enters. Al-Deayea emphasized ambitions in both the Saudi Pro League and the AFC Champions League Elite. If Inzaghi does not improve soon, his seat could be at risk. Another perspective argues that Al-Deayea is overreacting. Al-Hilal just suffered their first defeat of the season, after staying unbeaten in the previous five rounds. Inzaghi is still building the team, and a newly established side like Neom playing sharp counter-attacking football may not be an accurate measure of his capabilities. Without detailed statistics such as expected goals (xG), possession share, or pass counts, it is difficult to conclude that Al-Hilal lacks a method. Perhaps this is just a bad game, a scratch on a long journey, but Al-Deayea, as a legend, has the power to turn an isolated event into a media crisis. Al-Deayea's attack may mark the beginning of greater pressure, but the decision to sack Inzaghi will come from the boardroom, not from a television pundit's chair. Al-Hilal has ambitions to conquer both the Saudi Pro League and the AFC Champions League Elite. If Inzaghi does not quickly find a clear method for the team, the legend's prophecy may come true. But if he can turn criticism into motivation, this scratch will be a valuable warning in a long season. The football archaeologist will wait to see whether the sediment beneath Inzaghi's feet is being excavated or is merely a thin layer of dust on the surface. The biggest question: is Inzaghi patient enough to weather the media storm, or will he become the next victim of the Saudi football revolution?