Having slipped once more to eight points behind Roshn Saudi League leaders Al Nassr, Al Hilal knew they needed victory at Al Hazem on Saturday night to keep alive their title chances.
They did just that, departing Ar Rass with a 3-0 victory. The gap reduced before Al Nassr’s testing trip on Sunday to fourth-placed Al Qadsiah, Al Hilal have to control only what they can.
That, and still with a game in hand after this matchweek, means the 2023-24 RSL champions maintain faith in their ability to turn around title race.
Karim Benzema puts Al Hilal 1-0 up at Al Hazem
“Every game is difficult,” forward Malcom said after his team's latest win. “We played a good game. We started well… but the important thing is to win the three points.
“And we're continuing to believe that we can get there.”
Malcom begun this game out wide right, supporting Karim Benzema in attack. Simone Inzaghi’s decision was justified in the result, with the former Al Ittihad captain opening the scoring on nine minutes.
Benzema’s replacement, Marcos Leonardo, then doubled Al Hilal’s advantage eight minutes from time, before Ruben Neves rounded off the win with an injury-time penalty.
Certainly, if they are to reel in Al Nassr across the final three full matchweeks – Al Hilal are five points back in second with four of their own games to come – they have the quality to deliver on that quest.
“If there is no Malcom, there is Karim; if there is no Karim, there is Marcos. If there is no Marcos, there is [Sultan] Mandash; there is [Sergej Milinkovic] Savic; Ruben,” Malcom said. “This is our team. It isn’t composed of three players; we are a team and that’s why we're always among the first and the best in Asia.”
