'Very proud' - Bono, Aouar, Inzaghi, Conceicao react to Clasico draw | OneFootball

The standout fixture in the Roshn Saudi League delivered once more on Saturday night, when Al Hilal and Al Ittihad played out an intense 1-1 draw at Kingdom Arena.

As usual when these two titans of Saudi Arabian football face off, there was no shortage of incident.

RSL leaders Al Hilal leapt out in front on five minutes, when a free-flowing move involving former Al Ittihad captain Karim Benzema concluded with Malcom sweeping his shot past Predrag Rajkovic in the visitors’ goal.

Then, four minutes later, Al Ittihad were reduced to 10 men when Hassan Kadesh saw straight red for hauling down Malcom as the Brazilian raced through on goal. Initially deemed a yellow, the foul was upgraded following VAR’s intervention.

However, to their immense credit, Al Ittihad fought back. Eight minutes into the second half, Houssem Aouar headed home Muhannad Al Shanqiti’s expert cross. Even with a man down, the reigning RSL champions more than held their own until the final whistle.

So, points shared, the result meant Al Hilal lost their place at the summit, Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired victory against Al Hazem pushing the 2023-24 champions back into second place.

Topping the table since Matchweek 13, Al Hilal are now playing catch-up, one point off their Riyadh rivals with 12 rounds remaining.

With Saturday night's gripping encounter having significant ramifications on the 2025-26 title race, here’s some of the reaction from the season’s second Clasico.

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Yassine Bono (Al Hilal)

“It's a bad result for us, especially after Al Ittihad played with 10 men from 10 minutes. For us, it wasn't a match we expected... but at least the players did their best.

“We need to focus so that things from here go as we want them to. We have a match on Tuesday - we need to focus and win.”

Simone Inzaghi (Al Hilal)

“It's normal to be disappointed, because we had a good first half. In the second half, we clearly didn't do as well as we did in the first half. They found the equaliser, they were brave.

"We are of course disappointed with the result, because in the last six games we had four draws and two wins. And now we are second in the table; we are no longer first. It's normal to be disappointed.”

Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi wasn't happy with the draw in Saudi Clasico v Al Ittihad

Houssem Aouar (Al Ittihad)

“We're happy for this result. We came here with the goal of we wanted to win this game. When you play a Clasico, you want to win it. Very proud of the team; proud of everybody.

“[The red card] changed [the match] a lot because we cannot play with the same ambition. Tonight, we're going to recover and, Inshallah, be ready for the next game.”

Sergio Conceicao (Al Ittihad)

“It was a game between two great teams, very competitive, a game where I have to congratulate my players.

"We suffered a goal from the beginning: we have the sending off, and it was 80 very difficult minutes for the team. I would like to congratulate my players, who showed great character and great spirit - it was very important for a game like this - so I congratulate them for their performance.”