Al-Hilal’s Inzaghi Strategizes Martinelli–Summerville Duo Amid Defensive Concerns
Simone Inzaghi walked into the press room with three points in his pocket and a plan already forming in his head.
Al-Hilal had just beaten Al-Shabab 2-0 in the Riyadh derby at SHG Arena, a fifth straight win in the Roshn Saudi League that keeps them three points clear of Al-Nassr at the top. The scoreline was solid. The performance, controlled. But Inzaghi’s mind was already drifting to the flanks, to Gabriel Martinelli and Crysencio Summerville.
Martinelli’s Debut and a Flexible Left-Sided Pair
Martinelli made his Al-Hilal debut off the bench, introduced on the right side in the second half. It did not take long for Inzaghi to start experimenting.
“Both players can play on the right side with complete ease,” he said when asked who would own that flank in the coming weeks, Martinelli or Summerville.
The Brazilian began on the right. Once Sabri Dahl entered, Martinelli shifted across to the left. That, Inzaghi made clear, is the template: rotation, interchange, and a constant threat drifting in from that side.
“Today we brought Martinelli in on the right, and after Dahl came on I sent him to play on the left side, and they will be rotated in the upcoming matches,” he explained. The idea is obvious – two attackers comfortable operating off the left, both capable of switching, both able to stretch or cut inside as the game demands.
Transfer Market: Eyes on the Back Line
While the attacking puzzle looks like a luxury problem, the defensive picture is far less comfortable.
“The market is still open, and the sporting management is doing a great job in the transfer market,” Inzaghi said. “We have a need in the defensive line, and we are working on that.”
It was a pointed admission. Al-Hilal may be top, but they are stretched at the back. Injuries, workload, and a thin pool of options have forced Inzaghi into constant recalculations.
Right-Back: A Problem Position
The right side of defence is where the strain shows most.
“We have a kind of struggle in the right-back position,” he admitted. The solution, for now, has been local and improvised.
He singled out Mohammed Mahzari, a player he has tracked closely. “I have been monitoring Mahzari since last season, and he has covered a lot of the shortfall in this position. He is a great player who gives everything he has.”
Mahzari’s effort has bought Inzaghi time, but not comfort. The coach is trying to build depth there by design, not just necessity.
“We are waiting for the return of Hamad Al-Yami,” he said. “And we are also working on preparing Sabri Dahl to be a player in the same position, even though his position is right wing.”
Dahl, a winger by trade, is being reshaped as cover at right-back. It is a tactical gamble, but one Inzaghi seems ready to double down on until reinforcements arrive.
Fatigue, Not Fear, in Defence
The defensive issues are not only about positions on paper. They are also about bodies holding up under the strain.
Hassan Tambakti’s substitution raised questions, given his recent absence. Inzaghi moved quickly to calm any concern.
“After his two-month injury, he took part in five training sessions and wanted to feature in the Al-Ahli match, but he played today, and his substitution was not due to injury, only because of fatigue.”
Tambakti is still building rhythm. Ali Lajami, though, is unavailable.
“Ali Lajami is injured, we hope he returns as soon as possible,” Inzaghi said. “We have a struggle in the defensive line, and we are trying to cover this shortfall, and we have Meshaal Al-Dawood.”
Al-Dawood becomes another key piece in a back line being held together by rotation, adaptation, and the transfer market clock.
Top of the Table, but Work to Do
On the night, Al-Hilal did what title contenders must do: win without fuss, even when not at full strength.
“We were very focused, we came out strong and controlled the atmosphere of the match,” Inzaghi reflected. “We came back from the Al-Ahli fixture with our energy drained, and today we faced a very strong team in midfield and attack.”
The response was professional. Five wins from five in the Roshn League, 15 points, and a three-point cushion over Al-Nassr, who now head into a dangerous clasico against Al-Ittihad.
Al-Hilal, meanwhile, look settled at the top. But with a patched-up defence, a makeshift right-back, and a new Martinelli–Summerville axis still being drawn up, the question is clear: how long can they stay flawless while the back line waits for reinforcements?
