After Steven Bergwijn shot Al Ittihad to a potentially season-defining victory, he was in little doubt as to what was key to their momentous Saudi Clasico victory against title rivals Al Hilal.
“The stadium is the difference, of course,” the Dutchman said as an Alinma Stadium packed with 52,870 fans celebrated behind him. “Ninety minutes, 99 minutes; they’re behind us, they push you. So of course, you want to give, and you see everyone give 100 percent, and this is the result.”
The result was emphatic, extraordinary even. Al Ittihad had defeated reigning champions Al Hilal 4-1 - they rebounded from a goal down, in fact – to register a first Clasico success against Al Hilal in eight Roshn Saudi League attempts.
Wdyt @kendricklamar? 🖼️#SaudiClasico #RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/K4C8mS9GX6
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) February 22, 2025
With it, the Jeddah giants increased their lead at the RSL summit to seven points after 21 matchweeks. Sitting second, and after clinching the title last season by a record-setting margin, Al Hilal are certainly playing catch-up.
On Saturday night, Bergwijn, who is having a debut season in Saudi to remember, was the star of the show, scoring either side of half-time to give Al Ittihad the lead and then extend it. He was later voted the BSF Man of the Match.
“It's a fantastic win,” the summer signing from Ajax said. “We did it as a team with the fans behind us. We came from one behind, but this is the strength of the team.
“We never give up. We believe in each other, and you see a fantastic result.”
On what a crucial three points could mean as Al Ittihad chase a second top-flight crown in three seasons, Bergwijn said: “Of course it's a big step, but the season is long.
“We always say we have to look game-by-game and next game we need to win again. So, we look game-by-game and then we will see.
