Simone Inzaghi's Arab adventure on the Al-Hilal bench is experiencing the most complicated moment since the coach left Italy. What should have been a dominant project, built with enormous investments and gigantic expectations, has turned into a continuous contestation.
The hashtag against Inzaghi has exploded on Arab social media, with thousands of fans even calling for his dismissal after the failed championship in recent weeks. An anger born above all from the way in which Al-Hilal lost control of the season.
Il campionato buttato via dopo mesi di dominio
For much of the season Al-Hilal seemed clearly superior to their rivals. The team had accumulated a significant advantage in the standings and conveyed the feeling of being able to close the championship well in advance.
But then something went wrong. There were unexpected draws, lapses in concentration and above all a team incapable of managing the pressure in decisive moments. Al-Nassr thus completed the comeback until the final overtaking, causing the dispute against the Italian coach to explode.
And it is precisely here that old criticisms that accompanied Inzaghi during his Italian experience are coming back to light.
Un problema già visto con la Beneamata
Many, both in Arabia and in Italy, are inevitably making comparisons with some championships managed badly by the Nerazzurri in previous years.
The heaviest reference remains the 2021-2022 season. That Inter seemed to have the Scudetto in their hands after Milan's collapse at the beginning of spring. The club had superior quality, experience and a favorable calendar. Yet, the Nerazzurri team lost very heavy points against Bologna, Turin and Fiorentina, allowing Milan to complete the overtaking to the final title. A Scudetto lost by just two points and still considered by many Inter fans as a sensationally wasted opportunity.
Even then the accusations were similar to those that come from Saudi Arabia today: a beautiful team at times, but mentally fragile when the pressure increased
La Lazio del Covid e il crollo improvviso
But the comparison does not only concern president Marotta's team. Even during his experience at Lazio, Inzaghi had already experienced a very similar situation.
In the 2019-2020 season Lazio really seemed capable of challenging for the Scudetto against Juventus. The Biancocelesti had reached just one point from the top after an impressive series of consecutive useful results. But then, after the Covid break, the team suddenly collapsed due to injuries, mental tension and physical decline. In the end, the Romans ended up far from the title fight despite a season that, until March, seemed historic.
And it is precisely this continuity of situations that today fuels criticism towards the Piacenza coach. For many observers, the coach would have an extraordinary ability to build strong and organized teams, but he would show limitations in the emotional management of the decisive moments of a long season.
Un calcio spettacolare ma spesso fragile
The criticism in Arabia also concerns the play played by Al-Hilal. Many fans argue that a squad full of international stars cannot afford football that is considered too cautious and speculative.
It is a criticism that is very reminiscent of the one received at Inter during periods of greater pressure. Technically advanced teams, capable of dominating for months, but suddenly vulnerable when the race enters the decisive phase.
And perhaps the real problem for Inzaghi is precisely this: the feeling that certain collapses are no longer random.
La Champions asiatica ha peggiorato tutto
Making the atmosphere even worse was the elimination from the Asian Champions League against Al Sadd coached by Roberto Mancini. A defeat experienced in Arabia almost as a sporting humiliation considering the investments made by the Saudi club.
From that moment on, Arab social media turned into a continuous trial against the Italian coach.
Adesso il futuro è davvero in bilico
Paradoxically, looking at the numbers, Al-Hilal's season was not totally negative. The team still won the King Cup and remained undefeated in the league. But in modern Saudi football this is no longer enough.
When you coach one of the richest clubs on the Asian continent you have to win everything. And above all you cannot afford to lose championships already addressed.
And this is precisely the point that Simone Inzaghi is accused of today: not so much having lost, but having once again given the sensation of having let something slip away that already seemed to be in his hands.