Saudi Clasico drama shows promise but Pro League still work in progress
The Guardian Despite all the PR and marketing consultants hired by Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Clasico, which featured Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal, was not, for some reason, rebranded Al Clasico. Nevertheless, the 1 September clash was quite the way to sign off for the international break. Al-Ittihad, hosts, champions and the so-called peoples club from the Red Sea port of Jeddah, faced Riyadh royalty and took a 3-1 lead only to lose 4-3.
There was international interest, which was expected given the raft of big-name signings made in the summer, and more quality, which, again, was hardly a surprise. Al-Ittihad, who conceded only 13 goals under Nuno Esprito Santo last season, were cruising before conceding three goals in the space of 11 second-half minutes, with Al-Hilals Aleksandar Mitrovic scoring an impressive hat-trick as the blue-shirted away fans did the Poznan. This has always been one of Asias biggest games but there was a real heft to it this time.
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The big games feel bigger due to the big four, taken over by the Public Investment Fund in June, and the big stars they have subsequently signed. Al-Hilal have added Neymar, Rben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Malcom and Yassine Bounou to a team that lost 5-3 to Real Madrid in the final of the Club World Cup in February, defeating the champions of Africa and South America along the way. Al-Ittihad have reinforced with Karim Benzema, NGolo Kant, Fabinho and Jota. Meanwhile, Sadio Man, Marcelo Brozovic, Seko Fofana, Alex Telles, Aymeric Laporte and Otvio have joined Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr and newly-promoted Al-Ahli have Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, Allan Saint-Maximin, douard Mendy, Franck Kessi and Roger Ibaez.
