Six years later, Jorge Jesus could win a title again in Saudi Arabia. After winning the Super Cup with Al Hilal in 2018, the Portuguese coach had the possibility of lifting the Super Cup again and again with Al Hilal. To do that, they needed to defeat Al Ittihad, winners of the same competition last season.
But winning the Super Cup meant much more than that. By winning this Thursday, Jorge Jesus could stamp the first trophy of a season which already has a Guinness record and can still combine Championship and Cup. In other words, confirming right away that the idea of returning to Saudi Arabia was a bet won by him, the club and the country’s football itself.
Hello from the magician @neymarjr ????????????#AlHilal pic.twitter.com/y8TPVavX5Q
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) April 11, 2024
“We have to remember that we still don’t have trophies. Our objective is exactly that, to win our first trophy this season. Our players were not affected by Ramadan, they are used to it and we will fight for our goal. Al Ittihad has played against us this season in different styles and could surprise us. They have a different offensive line and we have to present our best defensive approach”, said the Portuguese coach, who eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in the semi-final, in the preview of the match.
PUB • CONTINUE READING BELOW
Thus, in the United Arab Emirates and with the presence of Neymar at the stadium, Jorge Jesus launched Aldawsari, Malcom and Michael in support of Al Shehri, with Rúben Neves starting in midfield. On the other side, in Marcelo Gallardo’s Al Ittihad that defeated Al Wehda in the semi-final, Hamdallah and Benzema appeared in attack, with Kanté in the intermediate sector, and Jota started on the substitutes’ bench.