Our team is very strong and cannot be easily stopped

Jorge Jesus remarkable unbeaten streak at Al Hilal continues to make headlines, as the Portuguese coach guided his team to a 3-1 home victory against Al Ettifaq, extending their run to 28 consecutive matches without a defeat.

This achievement further cements Jesus' reputation, following his record-breaking season last year, where he set a world record with 34 consecutive wins across all competitions. His tenure at Al Hilal has been marked by consistent performances, tactical versatility, and a winning mentality that has propelled the team to the top of the Saudi Pro League.

The last time Al Hilal suffered a loss was against Al Ain from the UAE in an international competition, a rare defeat that served as a wake-up call. Domestically, their unbeaten streak dates back to August 12, 2023, when they were narrowly beaten by Al Nassr, led by Luís Castro at the time. Since then, Al Hilal has gone on an impressive run, dispatching rivals and establishing themselves as the dominant force in the league.

In the recent encounter against Al Ettifaq, Al Hilal showcased their attacking prowess, with Aleksandar Mitrovic opening the scoring early in the match. The Serbian forward, who has been in exceptional form this season, demonstrated his clinical finishing once again, netting his 12th goal of the campaign, which places him at the top of the scoring charts. Brazilian winger Malcom added the second goal with a brilliant strike, displaying his trademark speed and precision. The third goal came from Al Qahtani, who capitalized on a defensive error to seal the win. Al Ettifaq managed to score a consolation goal in stoppage time through a penalty kick, awarded after João Cancelo was judged to have committed a foul inside the box. Vitinho stepped up to convert the spot-kick, but it was too little, too late for the visitors.

Jorge Jesus did not hold back in his post-match analysis, expressing satisfaction with his team’s performance but also taking the opportunity to criticize the refereeing. “Al Hilal is a very strong team, and we’ve proven time and again that we are superior to our opponents. Even without key players like Neymar and Rúben Neves, who we won't have until 2025, we continue to overcome every obstacle. Our team cannot be easily stopped,” said Jesus. He then turned his focus to the officiating, questioning the penalty decision against João Cancelo. “I don’t understand why that penalty was given, and there was another incident where an Al Ettifaq player should have been sent off. There were many questionable calls,” he remarked, highlighting his frustration with the match officials.

Despite the absence of key stars like Neymar, sidelined with a long-term injury, and Rúben Neves, who is also unavailable until next year, Al Hilal has maintained its position at the top of the league standings. Jesus' ability to adapt his tactics and rely on the depth of his squad has been crucial in navigating these challenges. The team currently holds a one-point lead over their closest rivals, Al Ittihad, who are also in contention for the league title.

Meanwhile, Al Nassr took the field against Al Riyadh later that day, aiming to keep pace with the league leaders. Under the guidance of new coach Stefano Pioli, who replaced Luís Castro, Al Nassr secured a narrow 1-0 victory. The only goal of the match came from Sadio Mané, the Senegalese international who had been struggling for form, having gone six games without a goal. Mané's decisive strike was a relief for the team and a sign of his return to form.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who started alongside Otávio, played an influential role in the buildup but was unable to add to his goal tally. This marks the second consecutive league game where Ronaldo has not found the back of the net, though he remains a crucial part of Al Nassr’s attacking setup. The Portuguese star currently has six goals in the league, a respectable tally but trailing behind Mitrovic, who leads the scoring charts with 12 goals.

The title race in the Saudi Pro League is shaping up to be highly competitive, with Al Hilal, Al Nassr, and Al Ittihad all in strong contention. The intense rivalry between these top teams, combined with the star-studded lineups featuring global icons like Ronaldo, Neymar, Mitrovic, and Mané, has drawn significant international attention. The league's growing popularity and the influx of top-tier talent have transformed it into one of the most exciting competitions in the football world this season.

As Al Hilal prepares for the upcoming fixtures, the focus will be on maintaining their momentum and extending their unbeaten run. Jorge Jesus' leadership has been instrumental in the team's success, and his confident remarks reflect a belief that Al Hilal is capable of overcoming any challenges they face. The road ahead will be tough, but with the quality and depth of their squad, Al Hilal remains the team to beat in the Saudi Pro League this season.