The Riyadh Derby between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr in the Diriyah Saudi Super Cup final is set to take place in Abha at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium on Saturday. Al-Hilal earned their spot in the final after a penalty shootout victory over Al-Ahli, while Al-Nassr secured their place by defeating Al-Taawoun. This final will be a chance for Al-Nassr to reclaim glory by lifting the trophy, while Al-Hilal aims for their fifth Super Cup title and second consecutive win.
The tactical showdown between Portuguese managers Jorge Jesus of Al-Hilal and Luís Castro of Al-Nassr is a key focus leading up to the final. Jesus has won eight matches out of their previous 14 encounters, while Castro has only won three, with three matches ending in a draw. Al-Nassr is particularly eager to secure a win against Al-Hilal, as they have faced a series of disappointments including losses in five head-to-head matches last season.
Last season, Al-Nassr had a difficult time against Al-Hilal, losing in all five of their meetings. The rivalry between these two teams has been intense, with Al-Hilal coming out on top in their previous encounters. Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of Al-Nassr, struggled to score against Al-Hilal’s star goalkeeper Yassine Bounou last season. In their upcoming sixth meeting in less than a year, Ronaldo will once again face Bounou, who played a crucial role in Al-Hilal’s penalty shootout win in the semifinal.
Their rivalry began in December last year during the Saudi Pro League, where Bounou saved Ronaldo’s shot in a 3-0 win for Al-Hilal. In February, they met again in a friendly during the Riyadh Season Cup, with Al-Hilal emerging victorious 2-0. In the Super Cup semifinal in April, Al-Hilal once again defeated Al-Nassr 2-1. The upcoming final promises another thrilling encounter between these two giants of Saudi football, with Ronaldo and Bounou facing off once again.
Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr have previously met twice in the Super Cup, with each team securing one victory. Al-Nassr scored three goals in those encounters, while Al-Hilal managed just one. The teams faced off multiple times last season, with Al-Hilal winning all five of their matchups. Ronaldo’s struggles to score against Bounou will be a key factor to watch in the upcoming final, as both teams aim to secure the Super Cup title.
The final on Saturday promises to be a highly anticipated match between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, with both teams aiming to secure victory. The tactical showdown between Jorge Jesus and Luís Castro adds more intrigue to the match, as Al-Nassr seeks to overcome past disappointments and Al-Hilal aims for their fifth Super Cup title. With the history of intense rivalry between these two teams, the upcoming final is set to be an exciting and fiercely contested encounter between two of Saudi Arabia’s football giants.
