Al-Hilal's Inzaghi Plans Martinelli–Summerville Duo After Derby Victory

Simone Inzaghi walked out of the SHG Arena with a fifth straight league win, a Riyadh derby in his pocket, and a clear idea forming on his flanks.

The Italian watched Gabriel Martinelli make his Al-Hilal debut in Friday’s 2-0 victory over Al-Shabab in the Saudi Roshn League, then laid out the blueprint: the Brazilian and Crysencio Summerville will be his interchangeable weapons, largely working off the left but ready to switch at will.

Martinelli’s Debut and a Flexible Front Line

Martinelli came off the bench in the second half of the derby, initially stationed on the right. Once Sabri Dahl entered, Inzaghi flipped the script and pushed Martinelli across to the left, a move that hinted at what’s to come.

Asked afterward which of Martinelli or Summerville would own the right flank going forward, Inzaghi refused to lock either man into a lane.

“Both players can play on the right side with complete ease,” he said, underlining the rotational plan. Martinelli and Summerville, he explained, will trade sides in upcoming matches, giving Al-Hilal a fluid, unpredictable edge in wide areas.

While the attacking puzzle looks rich with options, the coach’s transfer wish list lies elsewhere.

Transfer Focus Shifts to the Back

“The market is still open, and the sporting management is doing a great job in the transfer market,” Inzaghi said. “We have a need in the defensive line, and we are working on that.”

That need is already being felt. Ali Lajami is sidelined, Hassan Tambakti is still building back after injury, and right-back remains a problem zone.

“We have a kind of struggle in the right-back position,” Inzaghi admitted. He singled out Mohammed Mahzari, a player he said he has been tracking since last season, for helping plug that gap. Mahzari, he stressed, has “covered a lot of the shortfall” and “gives everything he has.”

The staff are also waiting on the return of Hamad Al-Yami, while trying to reshape Sabri Dahl into a defensive option despite his natural role as a right winger. It is a patchwork solution for now, but one Inzaghi is determined to make hold until reinforcements arrive.

Fatigue, Not Fear, Behind Tambakti Change

Tambakti’s substitution might have raised eyebrows, given his recent two-month layoff, but Inzaghi was quick to calm any concerns.

He explained that the defender had only taken part in five training sessions before this match and had even pushed to feature against Al-Ahli. The decision to take him off against Al-Shabab, Inzaghi insisted, came down to fatigue, not a fresh injury.

“Ali Lajami is injured, we hope he returns as soon as possible,” he added. “We have a struggle in the defensive line, and we are trying to cover this shortfall, and we have Meshaal Al-Dawood.”

The message was clear: the back line is stretched, but not broken.

Top of the Table, Eyes on the Chase

On the night itself, Inzaghi liked what he saw. Al-Hilal controlled the derby, dictated the tempo, and never really let Al-Shabab breathe.

“We were very focused, we came out strong and controlled the atmosphere of the match,” he said. He pointed out that his side arrived drained from the clash with Al-Ahli, only to face another “very strong team in midfield and attack” and still come away with a composed, professional win.

The result keeps Al-Hilal perfect: five games, five victories, 15 points. They sit three clear at the top of the Roshn League table, with Al-Nassr trying to keep pace before a tricky clasico against Al-Ittihad on Saturday.

Inzaghi already has his attack rotating, his defense under reconstruction, and his team setting the early pace. The question now is simple: can anyone catch them before that left flank truly catches fire?