How Al-Hilal Have Overcome the Loss of Neymar to Dominate the Saudi Pro League So Far This Season
The signing of Neymar last summer was meant to be the icing on the cake of brilliant business that could see Al-Hilal challenge for the Saudi Pro League. Neymar was expected to be the linchpin that provided the quality every week to put Al-Hilal over the top.
With the injury suffered while on international duty ruling the Brazilian out for the season, there were fears that this could derail Al-Hilal’s campaign. However, shorn of their presumed attacking linchpin, Jorge Jesus and his charges have proved themselves a class of the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Hilal are unbeaten after 19 matches, propelling them to the top of the table, 7 points ahead of their nearest competitors. The dominance has been driven by many in the squad under Jorge Jesus.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has acclimatized quickly to the league and proven himself to be the best in the division after his move from Sevilla, with former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly helping marshall a defense that has been mean this season, conceding just nine times this season so far.
In midfield, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Ruben Neves have offered a brilliant partnership that has been crucial in laying the platform for dominance and creating chances for the strikers, led by Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is challenging Cristiano Ronaldo for the Golden Boot, with 17 goals so far.
Jorge Jesus will hope that his side can maintain its current form as it pursues the Saudi Pro League title in the second part of the season.
