Al-Hilal’s Inzaghi Plans Martinelli–Summerville Duo for Attack
Simone Inzaghi walked out of the Riyadh derby with three things: a 2-0 win over Al-Shabab, a five-point perfect start extended to five games, and a clearer idea of how his new-look attack will take shape.
At the heart of it is a bold plan. Gabriel Martinelli and Crysencio Summerville, two natural left-sided livewires, are set to become the twin engines of Al-Hilal’s flank play.
Martinelli’s Debut and a Tactical Tease
Martinelli made his Al-Hilal debut off the bench at SHG Arena, introduced on the right in the second half before being switched across to his more familiar left side once Sabri Dahl entered the pitch.
Asked afterward who would own the right wing in the coming weeks between Martinelli and Summerville, Inzaghi refused to be boxed in.
“Both players can play on the right side with complete ease,” he said, underlining the flexibility he intends to squeeze out of his wide men. He then laid out the rotation clearly: Martinelli started on the right, moved to the left after Dahl came on, and that kind of interchange will continue in the next matches.
The message was obvious: no fixed labels, only roles to be adapted as games evolve.
Market Still Open, Back Line Still Short
While the attack looks stocked and versatile, Inzaghi did not hide where the real concern lies.
“The market is still open, and the sporting management is doing a great job in the transfer market. We have a need in the defensive line, and we are working on that,” he said.
It was a pointed reminder that, even at the top of the table, Al-Hilal are not complete. The Italian wants another defender, and he wants him soon.
A Controlled Derby, Despite Drained Legs
On the pitch, Al-Hilal never really let Al-Shabab breathe.
“We were very focused, we came out strong and controlled the atmosphere of the match,” Inzaghi reflected. His team, he stressed, arrived off a draining fixture against Al-Ahli, yet still imposed themselves against a side he described as “very strong in midfield and attack.”
The performance backed him up: Al-Hilal managed the tempo, protected their lead, and never allowed the derby to descend into chaos.
Right-Back Headache and Makeshift Solutions
If the result was comfortable, the right-back situation is anything but.
“We have a kind of struggle in the right-back position,” Inzaghi admitted. He highlighted Mohammed Mahzari as a key stopgap.
“I have been monitoring (Mohammed) 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 is plugging the gap, but he is not the only piece in the manager’s contingency plan. Inzaghi is waiting on the return of Hamad Al-Yami and is actively reshaping Sabri Dahl’s role.
“We are waiting for the return of Hamad Al-Yami, and we are also working on preparing Sabri Dahl to be a player in the same position, even though his position is right wing,” he said.
It is a compromise born of necessity, not luxury.
Tambakti Managed, Not Injured
There was a moment of concern when Hassan Tambakti was withdrawn, but Inzaghi quickly cooled any fears of a setback.
“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,” he clarified.
With the schedule tightening and the squad already stretched in defense, managing minutes has become as important as managing matches.
Defensive Injuries Cast a Shadow
The list of absentees at the back is not short.
“Ali Lajami is injured, we hope he returns as soon as possible. We have a struggle in the defensive line, and we are trying to cover this shortfall, and we have Meshaal Al-Dawood,” Inzaghi concluded.
Between Lajami’s injury, Tambakti’s recent layoff, and the ongoing search in the market, the league leaders are walking a fine line: dominant on the table, fragile in depth.
Even so, the numbers are ruthless. Five wins from five in the Roshn League. Fifteen points. Top of the standings, three clear of Al-Nassr, who must now navigate a clasico against Al-Ittihad on Saturday.
Al-Hilal have the early advantage, the attacking firepower, and a coach with a clear blueprint. If the club can match that with the right defensive signing, the rest of the league will be left asking how exactly they plan to catch them.
