Al Ittihad 1-2 Al Hilal: Two-goal Carlos Eduardo is a timeless servant, Romarinho deserves better

Saturday night’s engaging contest witnessed midfielder Abdulellah Al Malki pick up a second yellow in the closing stages, before Italy maestro Sebastian Giovinco shot through the unsighted Al Qarni to seal an enlivening victory. Here are the talking points:

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Familiarity bred contempt in Jeddah this weekend.

This, however, could only be apportioned to a 59-year feud, rather than boredom from repeat recent meetings.

A football banquet was lapped up by a rowdy crowd. They gorged on wonderful goals and sparkling play, plus lashings of drama when the video assistant referee cancelled a 79th-minute penalty for a supposed foul on Itti’s busy Argentine midfielder Emiliano Vecchio by Saudi Arabia right-back Mohammed Al Breik.

Hilal had pulverised their opponents in the midweek continental decider, a 3-1 scoreline proving inadequate to emphasise the inequalities between the clubs. But with foreign quotas bolstered from the AFC’s four to the SPL’s seven, grand entertainment ensued.

Pre-match tension was also boosted by champions Al Nassr’s shock 1-0 loss at Al Hazem, while Itti sat in the relegation zone following last weekend’s 2-1 loss at promoted Damac. Victory for Hilal would gain a two-point SPL lead – and three over holders Nassr – and keep Ittihad rooted in early relegation mire.

The visitors dominated possession (59/41 per cent) and attempts (29/13) on Saturday in a repeat of the Asian action. Yet just like that game, Itti never felt out of it as they made a lot out of precious little.

Ex-Lyon centre forward Bafetimbi Gomis uncharacteristically snatched at several first-half chances and Syria forward Khrbin just volleyed wide. At the other end Vecchio blazed over and Chile playmaker Carlos Villanueva’s aim was all off in an advantageous position.

A punishing tempo – at one stage the lively Romarinho mouthed “hot” and dropped down to his knees – reduced a notch after the break. Understandable in late summer heat that pushed above 30C at kick-off.

Only when Al Malki barrelled into Hilal midfielder Mohamed Kanno, and substitute Giovinco soon latched onto a loose ball on 89 minutes, did this 154th El Clasico appear settled. These eternal rivals had provided a fine advert for Saudi football.

KING CARLOS

Crescent coach Razvan Lucescu may worry about centre-back Ali Al Bulaihi being bamboozled by Romarinho and what Xavi’s Al Sadd might do in the spaces vacated by rampaging full-backs in the ACL semi-finals.

What he can have no doubts about is skipper Eduardo’s enduring worth. The decision to reject summer advances from the Arabian Gulf League in the club’s all-time top-scoring foreigner was a wise one.

Sublime technique with a mid-air volley got the first, while pure instinct accounts for the second.

Advancing years and 2017’s serious knee injury also couldn’t curtail a driving second-half run that almost earned a hat-trick. Itti must loathe his continued presence, six career goals against them representing his best return against a single club during four years in the Kingdom.

Unforeseen versatility was also shown by the Brazilian to play on the left in a 4-4-2 formation. He symbolises the desire from the runners-up under Lucescu to usurp neighbours Nassr.

ROMARINHO DESERVES A SUPPORT CAST

Itti’s revival in 2019 has been guided by Chilean coach Jose Luis Sierra’s comeback and fuelled by Romarinho’s goals.

The Brazilian moved onto three goals in three 2019/20 SPL games when he darted inside the slack Al Bulaihi and effortlessly rolled the ball in. This was just the highlight of a display that oozed menace whenever he gained possession in pockets of space, either on the flanks or in front of the defence.

His talent, clearly, isn’t matched elsewhere in the squad. Al Qarni has been to blame for four of six goals conceded to Hilal this week, while long-term Sierra soldier Vecchio’s endeavour cannot hide basic technical faults.

A disconnect between Romarinho and Serbia No9 Aleksandar Privojic was also obvious. At the other end, Morocco centre-back Manuel da Costa has been as bad in 2019/20 as he was good in the second half of 2018/19.

There is the appearance of Itti being too good to repeat last season’s serious flirtation with a first relegation. But until others step up to Romarinho’s level, they will struggle.