Enajagy Denies Rest for Al-Hilal Players, Prioritizes Performance

Al-Hilal's Italian coach Simone Inzaghi refuses to give his players a break despite already securing their spot in the Asian Champions League Elite knockout rounds. The Saudi club crushed Iraqi side Al-Shorta 4-0 to maintain their perfect record, but Inzaghi wants to keep the momentum going through the group stage finale.

Al-Hilal has now won five straight matches in the tournament, clinching qualification with three games still left in the group phase. Most coaches might ease up at this point, but Inzaghi has different plans.

The 49-year-old Italian manager made it clear he's targeting first place in the group standings. "The match was good, and I salute the players. I'm happy with the performance of both the starters and substitutes," Inzaghi told reporters after the victory.

But here's what makes this approach interesting - Inzaghi isn't just thinking about the Asian Champions League. Al-Hilal faces Al-Fateh in the King's Cup round of 16 this Saturday, and the coach wants his team sharp for that domestic competition too.

"The important thing is that we continue working hard, and we have an important match on Saturday," he added.

This strategy reflects the broader ambitions of Saudi football clubs, which have been investing heavily to compete on multiple fronts. Al-Hilal's perfect record in Asia puts them in prime position to make a deep run in the continent's premier club competition.

The decision to maintain intensity despite early qualification shows Inzaghi understands the rhythm needed for elite competition. Teams that coast after securing advancement often struggle to regain their edge when knockout rounds begin.

For Al-Hilal, staying focused could pay dividends. A strong finish to the group stage would give them favorable seeding and potentially easier matchups in the elimination rounds. And with Saudi clubs looking to establish themselves as Asian powerhouses, every victory carries extra weight.