RSL Talking Points: Early storylines heading into FIFA break

The 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League season may be only two games in, but as we pause for the FIFA international break it’s an opportune time to take stock of what has transpired across the opening 18 matches of the season.

Al Hilal pick up where left off

Having stormed to an undefeated season last year, the biggest question over Jorge Jesus’ side heading into the new campaign was whether they could keep that momentum going after the off-season break.

Their form in the season-opening Saudi Super Cup was ominous, with wins over Al Ahli and Al Nassr sending their rivals a warning that they were still the team to beat, and that feels still very much the case after the opening two games of the season.

Two matches, two wins and six goals scored. While they were made to work for their most recent win, against Damac, having to come from 2-1 down to take all three points, that they were able to dig themselves out of the mire will serve only to reinforce the overwhelming sense of belief within the squad.

Their next two fixtures upon resumption will be enlightening: Al Hilal contest a Riyadh Derby against a vastly improved Al Riyadh, and then the Saudi Clasico against expected title rivals Al Ittihad. If Al Hilal can get through those unscathed, it would send a major statement out across the league.

Al Ittihad show fighting spirit

For Al Ittihad, this season was all about redemption after their poor title defence last season, when they ultimately finished fifth.

With a new manager in Laurent Blanc, and a host of headline-grabbing signings led by Moussa Diaby, there was plenty of intrigue as to how Al Ittihad would perform this time around. After a, by his standards, a lacklustre debut season in the RSL, there were greater expectations placed upon captain Karim Benzema to drag his team back into the title fight.

The early signs from the Jeddah giants are promising, with two wins on the bounce. What will be especially pleasing for Blanc is that both games have been decided deep into stoppage time.

While the preference would be to put the contest out of reach earlier, the fact Al Ittihad have been able to find late, late winners in both matches shows a spirit and resolve in the team, which was evident in the way Houssem Aouar celebrated his last-gasp winner against Al Taawoun on Thursday.

As the team still find their feet under Blanc, getting points on the board early is paramount. Champions in 2022-23 and eager to make up for last term, can Al Ittihad keep the good times rolling?

Unexpected surprises continue

The RSL always throws up a surprise or two each season. Last season, it was the form of Al Taawoun, which carried the Buraidah club all the way to fourth place and a spot in the new AFC Champions League Two tournament.

This season the early surprise package appears to be Al Wehda, who are one of four undefeated teams after the opening two rounds. While it remains a small sample size, what makes Al Wehda’s start all the more impressive is the fact it came on the back of a difficult off-season for the Mecca-based outfit, particularly away from the pitch, meaning their impressive contingent of new signings weren’t registered until after the league has started.

The fact they have two wins on the board already, and can now call upon the services of Juninho Bacuna, Youssef Amyn, Alexandru Crețu, Ignacio de Arruabarrena and Mohamed Al Makahasi, to compliment established stars such as Odion Ighalo and Craig Goodwin, is enough to give their loyal fans plenty of cause for optimism.

Al Qadsiah mean business

After such a significant summer overhaul, with an almost entirely new-look squad and a new brand to boot, the biggest question mark over Al Qadsiah heading into the season was whether the promoted side could really challenge the established “Big Four” and compete for silverware.

On the evidence of the opening two weeks, the answer is a resounding yes. Sterner tests are to come, but it’s also true that they haven’t been able to start anything close to their best XI in the opening two weeks and have still walked away with two wins and two clean sheets. They defeated Al Fateh 3-0 in Matchweek 1 and Al Raed 1-0 the following round.

The international break will also see Al Qadsiah add two new names to their roster, with Spaniard Cameron Puertas arriving from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, along with promising 20-year-old compatriot, Iker Almena, who completed his move from Girona.

This was always going to be a team that took time to flourish, but already the signs are positive for Michel’s ambitious outfit.

Golden Boot race throws up familiar foes

The title race between Al Hilal and Al Nassr last season was made even more interesting by a race for the Golden Boot that played out alongside by the two main marksmen from either side.

Al Hilal’s Aleksandar Mitrovic and Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo went toe-to-toe for much of the season before Ronaldo pulled away to finish comfortably ahead as the league’s top scorer in the 2023-24 season, with a single-season record of 35 goals.

And, by the looks of the opening two matchweeks, this season the Serbian and Portuguese greats appear set for Round 2, with both finding the net in each of their fixtures. Mitrovic has the early advantage over Ronaldo, leading four to two, but this is a battle that will be waged all campaign – and immediately both men show no signs of letting up on last season’s red-hot pace.

Do not, though, believe there will be only two horses in this race: Al Ahli have just signed England international Ivan Toney and already have Feras Al Buraikan, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is only getting settled at Al Qadsiah, Moussa Dembele has two goals in two games for Al Ettifaq and Abderrazak Hamdallah, second on the RSL all-time scorers list, has yet to debut at Al Shabab.