Man City 3 - 4 Al Hilal: My Honest Thoughts

Wow. I still can't believe what I just watched. Man City losing 3-4 to Al Hilal? That’s not just a surprise, it’s a proper football shocker. I went into this game thinking it was going to be routine for City. I mean, they’re literally the most complete squad in world football. But Al Hilal didn’t just show up to play, they came to fight, and they absolutely earned that win.

Photo Credit : Vintage football

From the start, City looked a bit too relaxed, almost like they underestimated their opponent. And in football, that’s always dangerous. Al Hilal didn’t care about the reputation, they pressed high, took their chances, and most importantly, they believed. You could see it in the way they played, full of energy.

Al Hilal were clinical. Every time they got into a dangerous position, they made it count.
But as much as I have to give credit to Al Hilal, I also have to be honest about City’s performance. The defense looked shaky, the midfield gave the ball away too easily at times. Guardiola looked stunned on the touchline, and for good reason. That wasn’t the City we’re used to seeing.

Photo Credit: Koko

I won’t lie, watching a club like Al Hilal go toe-to-toe with City and actually come out on top? That’s what makes football so exciting. It shows how the game is changing, how clubs from other regions are catching up fast. Money aside, you could feel the hunger and discipline in Al Hilal’s play, and they looked like a team on a mission.

Photo Credit: The Touchline

For City, it’s a wake-up call. You can have all the quality in the world, but if you don’t show up with intensity and respect for your opponent, you can get punished. And today, Al Hilal did exactly that. They punished every single mistake.