Sergej Milinkovic-Savic opened the scoring as Al-Hilal defeated Al-Shabab 2-0 in Friday's Riyadh derby, but the Serbian midfielder remained cautious when asked about championship prospects. Speaking after matchweek 5 of the Roshn League, Savic struck a measured tone despite his side's perfect record.
The 29-year-old playmaker latched onto a precision pass from the right flank and finished clinically inside the box. Al-Hilal's performance impressed against a determined home side, though Savic deflected attention from early season optimism. "I don't know about winning the league, and we shouldn't talk about that now," he told Saudi Arabia's Thmanyah network. "The season is still long, and we have to focus on what's coming."
New Arrivals Settling Into Saudi Football
Recent recruits including Ollie Watkins and Gabriel Martinelli have already made an impact in the Roshn League. Savic praised the squad's chemistry, highlighting how newcomers adapted quickly to Saudi club football's demands. "We have really wonderful players, and the names who joined just a few days ago have managed to adapt to the atmosphere," he explained. This integration matters as Al-Hilal aims for sustained success across competitions.
Despite maintaining an unbeaten start through five matches, Savic's pragmatism reflects a veteran's wisdom. With 15 matchweeks remaining in the Saudi top flight, Al-Hilal faces fierce competition from traditional rivals. Savic's reluctance to discuss silverware speaks volumes about championship experience gained across European elite clubs. The midfielder's focus remains on consistency and incremental progress rather than premature celebration.
Al-Hilal's next fixture will test whether their early form translates into sustained title contention or fades amid fixture congestion and rival challenges.
