Al-Hilal suffer shock 0-2 defeat to newcomers Neom: Inzaghi takes full responsibility, team still leads Saudi Pro League

Al-Hilal stepped into a frustrating evening when the team considered the strongest in the Saudi Pro League surprisingly fell 0-2 to newly promoted Neom. For coach Simone Inzaghi, this is the first defeat since he officially took charge, and what troubles the Italian tactician is not just the score but also the poor performance in the first half. Yet amid the concerns, Al-Hilal still have their hands on the top of the table, and the real story lies in how they respond to this setback. Before the match, Al-Hilal were leading the standings with 15 points after six rounds. They were seen as the leading title contender, possessing a deep squad and being guided by a coach who had competed in Europe. However, Neom, a newly promoted side, showed they are no pushovers. With 12 points from the same number of matches, Neom are level with big clubs Al-Nassr and Al-Qadsiah. That makes Al-Hilal's defeat a notable signal about the rising competitiveness of the league. The direct causes came from defensive errors in the first half. Inzaghi admitted the first goal conceded came from a mistake right in front of goal, while the second goal also involved problems in marking. The home side left too much space between the lines and could not close down in time. Neom did not need to dominate possession much, but they were sharp enough to punish every moment of hesitation from Al-Hilal's defence. Another issue pointed out by the Italian coach was the failure to convert chances. Al-Hilal created five dangerous opportunities in the first half but did not score. Neom, by contrast, proved incredibly efficient, needing only a few attacking passages to get what they wanted. This was not the first time the Blue and White forwards wasted numerous chances, but in a decisive match, that wastefulness cost them dearly. Inzaghi did not try to blame his players. Instead, he willingly took full responsibility for the defeat. Speaking after the match, the former Inter Milan boss stressed that the board had done a great job in building the squad and that he had no reason to criticize his players. He believed a defeat like this could make the players more alert after a series of good results. His skilful handling showed he understands the weight of public opinion and knows how to protect the dressing-room atmosphere. In the second half, Al-Hilal played with much more intensity. They pressed Neom, created clear chances, and kept the visitors' goal under constant threat. Neom's goalkeeper produced at least two excellent saves, especially from a shot by Mohamed Kanno. Inzaghi said luck was not on his team's side, but he admitted his attackers had not made the most of what they created. Had one of those chances been converted, the outcome could have been different. However, this defeat should not be blown out of proportion as a crisis. Al-Hilal are still top of the league and still hold a gap over the chasing group. Neom are a newly promoted side but have been very consistent, so it is understandable they can cause trouble for a big club. What matters most for Al-Hilal is how they react in the next rounds, not a single result. From a tactical perspective, the match exposed a more worrying issue than the scoreline alone. Al-Hilal showed they can create opportunities but lack sharpness at decisive moments. The defence also made individual mistakes that could be punished more heavily in bigger matches. Inzaghi needs to solve these problems quickly if his team wants to maintain their title challenge against strong rivals. Another notable point is the growing competitiveness of the Saudi Pro League. Not only Al-Nassr and Al-Qadsiah, but even a newly promoted side like Neom can beat the league leaders. This shows the competition is moving in the right direction in terms of attracting investment and raising professional standards. With famous coaches like Inzaghi and quality players, this season's title race promises to be exciting. In the eyes of many, losing to a newly promoted team is seen as a shock and raises big questions about the Italian coach's ability. However, looking at the whole season, Al-Hilal still have the best record in the league, and Inzaghi is only at the beginning of his journey. One defeat cannot erase what he has done in recent months. Instead of panicking, the Riyadh-based club should treat this as a lesson to improve. Given what they have shown, Al-Hilal can bounce back strongly in the very next round. Their upcoming fixtures will be a real test of their character as a big team. The players need to stay fully focused for the whole 90 minutes, rather than playing well only in the second half as they did last time. Inzaghi also needs to find ways to improve finishing efficiency and restore solidity at the back. In the end, this defeat may turn out to be a positive wake-up call. Top-level football always needs shocks to make big clubs realise their limits. Al-Hilal still have their destiny in their own hands in the title race. But from now on, every round will demand them to play with maximum strength. Only then can Inzaghi's side protect their lead and go further this season.