Al Hilal 2023/24: The AFC giants’ star-studded transformation and tactical evolution after Neymar’s arrival – scout report

Imagine someone who had been following the Saudi League, but took a few months off and has now returned to catch up. The current scenario might surprise them: several prominent players from elite European clubs have joined an Asian league during one summer, which is entirely unexpected.

Saudi Arabias new approach, orchestrated by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), marks a departure from previous strategies seen in China and America. Unlike those countries, Saudi Arabia is now acquiring players in their prime from the European leagues, including famous names like Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez, and NGolo Kanté from the Premier League and, before them, Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Asian giants, Saudi Arabias Al Hilal, are on top of these clubs. Under the guidance of experienced coach Jorge Jesus, the historic Saudi champion has assembled an impressive squad that features stars such as Kalidou Koulibaly from Chelsea, Sergej Milinković-Savić from Lazio, Rúben Neves from Wolverhampton, Malcom from FC Zenit, and the recent addition the Brazilian star Neymar from PSG and Yassine Bounou. And in advanced negotiating with Fulham to sign Aleksandar Mitrović.

In this tactical analysis, in the form of a team scout report, we will provide an initial overview of Al Hilals tactics and playing style and their prospects for the season, now bolstered by a constellation of renowned players. We will also delve into how these deals, including Neymar, are likely to influence both the team, the league and Asia as a whole.

Saudis current strategy

In football, which stands as Saudi Arabias most popular sport, the nation is strategically procuring a substantial roster of renowned players. Notably, these players arent solely those seeking financial gains at the twilight of their careers but also young talents at the peak of their prowess. The offer of departing Europe comes with a need for compelling incentives, prominently including financial rewards.

The acquisitions of players like Moussa Dembélé (Al Ettifaq), Malcom (Al Hilal), Seko Fofana (Al Nassr), Sergej Milinković-Savić (Al Hilal), Marcelo Brozović (Al Nassr), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal), Jota (Al Ittihad), Alex Telles (Al Nassr), Édouard Mendy (Al Ahli), NGolo Kanté (Al Ittihad), Roberto Firmino (Al Ahli), Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad), Riyad Mahrez (Al Ahli), Allan Saint-Maximin (Al Ahli), Sadio Mané (Al Nassr), and Neymar (Al Hilal) represent more than just individual initiatives. They embody a powerful, overarching trend driven by the state.

The acquisition of a club like Newcastle United and its subsequent qualification for the UEFA Champions League within a single season signifies a collective effort rather than an isolated endeavour. This trend is emblematic of a broader shift. The future trajectory, however, remains uncertain, whether the momentum will be sustained or whether it will be as fleeting as its rapid ascent.

In-possession play

In the dawn of a new era at Al Hilal, Jorge Jesus, which is not his first experience there, uses 4-2-3-1. The bedrock of this approach centres on verticality, prioritising swift advances over possession or control of the opposition. The emphasis lies in surprising opponents with incisive vertical passes, expeditiously aiming for the goal.

Its inevitable that numerous tactical shifts will transpire following the infusion of new deals. Broadly speaking, Al Hilal, under the Portuguese, aspires for a dynamic framework, placing a premium on velocity and exploiting the Y-axis more than the X-axis, resulting in a sharp and aggressive strategy.

Contemporary football pivots on the pursuit of superiority across all facets of play. Thus, initiating play from the back is orchestrated with the fewest participants necessary while maintaining efficacy (the least number of players as possible but as many as needed).

In the present scenario, opposing teams do not frequently engage in high pressing against Al Hilal during this deeper phase. Generally, Al-Zaeem typically uses seven players—a goalkeeper, the back four, and two defensive midfielders—when facing the press, with the No. 10 player dropping back when required.

Yassine Bounous inclusion is poised to enrich this deeper phase of play significantly. His adeptness at initiating the build-up through precision passes, directing the play rightly and adept decision-making under pressure is one of his prowess.

Bounous addition even extends to switching to 4-2 (involving the goalkeeper), which increases the vulnerability of the oppositions defensive line by exposing it to five players instead of the standard four or three. The visual below illustrates Bounous passing distribution during his last season at Sevilla, further underscoring his standing as one of the global premier goalkeepers.

In the progression phase, Jorge Jesus utilises the dynamic concept of the Salida Lavolpiana, a variation where a midfielder drops deep to create a back-three, initiating a positional motion that evolves into 3-1-6.

After experimenting with Rúben Neves as a sole pivot, Jorge Jesus shifted to 4-2-3-1, introducing Saudi midfield star Mohamed Kanno alongside Neves. Kannos inclusion significantly supported the teams ability to dictate the tempo of play.

Within this 3-1-6, either Neves or Kanno commonly drops back between or alongside the centre-backs, who