'Al Nassr’s players lose control' - Jesus, Inzaghi react to pulsating Capital Derby | OneFootball

With 80 minutes on the clock in the Capital Derby, and scores locked at 1-1, Ruben Neves stood over the ball to take a corner.

After Cristiano Ronaldo had opened the scoring for Al Nassr on the stroke of half time, Al Hilal had drawn level from the spot thanks initially to Mohamed Simakan’s foul on Malcom.

From there, the ensuing ruckus from Salem Al Dawsari’s converted penalty saw the visitors to Kingdom Arena reduced to 10 men: goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi was shown a straight red for a perceived stray arm to the face of Neves.

As Al Nassr desperately tried to stem the tide of the blue wave and the clock ticked into the closing 10 minutes, Neves stood in concentration in the corner as he plotted a perfect delivery.

Almost prophetically, world-feed commentator Chris Wise suggested that the time remaining represented “10 minutes that could change the course of the [Roshn Saudi League] season”.

Never mind 10 minutes; 10 seconds later Al Hilal were ahead. Neves’ corner was half cleared, the ball worked its way back to him to allow the Portugal international to cross to substitute Mohammed Kanno, who flicked home.

At the end of those 10 minutes - plus an understandably lengthy period of stoppage time - Al Hilal emerged 3-1 victors. Fifteen rounds into the 2025-26 RSL, they’d opened a seven-point lead at the top of the table.

“A blue wave washes across Riyadh,” Wise declared.

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Before the game, this always felt a Capital Derby that would have significant ramifications on the RSL title race. Having dominated the opening 10 rounds of the season and thus opened a four-point gap of their own at the summit, Al Nassr looked in complete control.

But, in four rounds across little more than two weeks, the tide has indeed turned. While that blue wave has rolled across Riyadh, Al Nassr have been swept out to sea.

It’s hard to know whether the dominant narrative out of the derby should be Al Nassr’s slump in form - they are winless in four in the league, losing their past three - or the sheer relentlessness and inevitability of Al Hilal, who stretched to a record 11th successive victory in the top flight.

In truth, it can be both. However, given their slip from the summit and the rapid sequence of defeats, focus fastens now to Al Nassr. Principally, how the 2018-19 champions will respond.

Speaking after the derby at his former home, manager Jorge Jesus pulled no punches in his assessment of his team’s recent efforts. First, he credited the winning machine he helped create at Al Hilal. Then, he cited his current side’s lack of big-game mentality at critical junctures.

“It's true that Al Hilal’s team is much more experienced,” Jesus explained. “They know how to play in these moments of the game. I should know, right?

“This team worked with me for almost two years. I put it together, so I know them perfectly. They are players who are used to winning everything and don't lose control emotionally.

“Al Nassr’s players lose control and today was proof of that. We were always ahead in the first 10 games, with 10 wins.

"When the team started having problems, with [Sadio] Mane [at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations], and Simakan injured, we started to lose value and then some mistakes started to appear - like today's. And we can't make them.

“If [the players] fail technically, you have to understand, but now failing disciplinarily, after a penalty, creating a situation like this? It was already not positive to have conceded the penalty, let alone the team losing control and giving the referee reasons to send [Al Aqidi] off.”

Predictably, Jesus’ opposite number on the touchline, Simone Inzaghi, departed the happier.

The ever-expressive Italian had sprung a surprise when the team sheets dropped pre-match, since he opted for a back three for the first time this season - a system he became renowned for during his hugely successful time with Inter Milan.

Somewhat unexpectedly, Inzaghi introduced Moteb Al Harbi on the left-side of the back three, with Hassan Al Tambakti on the right and midfielder Neves dropped deep, splitting the Saudi Arabians.

As a result, full-backs Theo Hernandez and Hamad Al Yami were given the freedom to push further forward, and both enjoyed great success early as Al Hilal dominated the opening exchanges.

No doubt delighted by the outcome, Inzaghi later explained his decision, as well as why he started both Hernandez and striker Darwin Nunez: to introduce fresh legs into the side. Such is the current RSL calendar, Al Hilal’s recent heavy schedule meant the derby marked their fifth fixture in 17 days.

“Al Hilal has been a great team - congratulations to these guys who have won 19 games in a row; with merit we must continue,” Inzaghi said. “I am lucky to be able to choose Moteb, Nasser [Al Dawsari], Darwin Nunez, Theo Hernandez.

“I tried to put fresh and strong forces because we play a lot. I had four or five players who had not played the last game [Sunday's 2-0 win against Damac]. For a team, for such an important game, it is very important for us.”

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Clearly, that ultimately proved crucial. While Al Nassr gradually took control as the first half wore on, which resulted in 2025-26 RSL goal leader Ronaldo breaking the deadlock three minutes before half-time, there is an inevitability to this Al Hilal side.

After a remarkable run of consecutive wins, they were always going to respond to falling back in the title race. And they’ve responded like we knew they would. And, as was once more on full display in the derby, Neves lies at its heart.

The former FC Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers star may have been deployed defensively rather than in midfield, but he was still central to everything Al Hilal did.

As mentioned, Neves provided the assist for Kanno’s result-guaranteeing goal, then scored Al Hilal’s third from the spot in injury-time, and was rightfully named Player of the Match. Indeed, he earned a Performance Index Rating of 96 out of a possible 100.

And so, with their 19th win on the bounce across all competitions, the season continues to swing in Al Hilal’s favour. This relentless machine rolls on. Al Nassr, meanwhile, are left to lick their wounds.

For Jesus now, as he ponders how to reel in the team he helped produce, it’s how his present club can regain control of their campaign. Before any further damage is inflicted.