What is going wrong at Al Hilal and can coach Zoran Mamic turn it around?

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  • Al Hilal’s lurch into crisis mode has continued apace. Calls to ditch boss Zoran Mamic, little more than two months into his tenure, increased on Monday night when defeat was tasted for the first time in the 2019 AFC Champions League.

    What is going wrong with the Crescent and are there signs the mid-season replacement for revered Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus can turn it around? Here, Sport360° takes a look:

    THE SITUATION

    After two-successive transfer windows of significant spending, a desire to end their 19-year wait for Asian glory is all encompassing at Hilal.

    Ex-Benfica and Sporting Lisbon tactician Jesus’ reluctance to commit for the full 2019 continental campaign – it runs from February-November – caused a ruthless decision. Out went the 64-year-old on January 30 and in came Mamic, fresh from a stirring run to the 2018 Club World Cup final with Al Ain.

    A seamless transition saw nine of the ex-Croatia international’s first 11 fixtures won, to a commanding combined score of 24-7. But the Saudi Professional League holder’s goalless draw with bottom-placed Ohod on March 23 has sent them into a tailspin.

    Brazil defender Bruno Uvini’s 97th-minute winner in the intense Riyadh derby, less than a week later, against Al Nassr witnessed a six-point lead upon Mamic’s arrival to descend into a painful one-point disadvantage to his former club. Uncertain wins from 2-1 and 2-0 down at Ettifaq, in the King’s Cup quarter-finals, and Al Hazem, in the top flight, followed.

    A growing disquiet reached fever pitch on Monday in Doha when Hilal found themselves 2-0 in arrears by the half-hour mark against Esteghlal, the Persian Gulf Pro League’s fourth-placed side. Ex-France striker Bafetimbi Gomis’ fortunate second-half goal then could not prevent a loss, which nevertheless left them top of Group C at the halfway point.

    Another reversal at fellow SPL giants Al Ahli Jeddah on Friday cannot be countenanced.

    MAMIC’S MALAISE

    Only a nuanced change in style has been applied by Mamic at King Saud University Stadium – variations of a 4-2-3-1 formation and emphasis on width remain.

    If the approach has remained, broadly, static, results haven’t. Jesus’ win percentage of 76 per cent and goals-per-game ratio of 2.6 has declined to 68.8 and 2.1 under his successor. Conjecture will surround culpability.

    Results had slowed in the final months of Jesus’ incumbency. After he won 12 of his first 13 matches, a decline to five victories in 12 began.

    Mamic picked up the pieces from Saudi Arabia’s disappointing 2019 Asian Cup and has had to manage pressurised ACL commitments.

    These challenges have been faced without a functioning engine room. Abdullah Otayf played twice for him before serious injury, fellow sublime centre midfielder Salman Al Faraj has been unavailable throughout.

    Australia centre-back Milos Degenek’s subsequent struggles up the pitch have been predictable.

    Further fitness issues have hampered Brazil talisman Carlos Eduardo’s influence at No10.

    Niggles for support striker Jonathan Soriano, further, meant Gomis became overburdened. He scored once from February 25-March 29, prior to netting three times in his last two run-outs.

    Yet, the decision to deploy a 4-1-4-1 formation in the second half at Nassr proved disastrous. An over-exposed defence then careered towards an early cup exit at Ettifaq.

    The soft headers that Esteghlal plundered further point towards a lack of defensive rigour.

    All blame cannot be apportioned to Mamic, yet he isn’t blameless.

    (Twitter/@Alhilal_FC).

    (Twitter/@Alhilal_FC).

    THE FUTURE

    Only once in Hilal’s recent downturn have they been dominated – critically, this came at Nassr.

    They lost against Esteghlal with 68-per-cent possession and 13 attempts on goal, to their opponents’ six. A combined 34 efforts drew only one goal from the 1-1 draw with Al Wehda and stalemate that followed in the SPL versus Ohod.

    Mamic’s men are still creating opportunities. Converting them is the issue.

    This is where psychology is key. The last-minute Nassr loss, seemingly, deepened nagging doubts and denied salvation.

    Hilal are 15 points and four places better off than weekend opponents Ahli. April 2016 is also the last time they lost to them in normal time, a run that encompasses nine matches.

    This statistical superiority must be reflected at King Abdullah Sports City. If not, press the panic button.

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