Youssef En-Nesyri did not hold back after Al-Ittihad's 3-2 defeat to Al-Hilal in Round 8 of the Roshn Saudi League, openly criticizing the match official's performance. The Moroccan forward, who opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, faced disappointment as his side surrendered a lead in what proved to be a fiercely contested Saudi Arabian Classico.
En-Nesyri addressed reporters immediately after the final whistle with clear frustration etched across his face. "The referee was one of the most important reasons that made us lose in tonight's match," he stated bluntly. Despite his evident anger, the striker exercised caution about elaborating further, aware of potential disciplinary consequences. "I don't want to talk about the referee any further so that I'm not subjected to penalties, but anyone who watched the match will see that he was a cause of our downfall," En-Nesyri added, leaving viewers to draw their own conclusions about questionable officiating decisions.
Balanced Assessment Amid Frustration
Rather than place all blame on external factors, En-Nesyri acknowledged Al-Ittihad's role in the defeat. "But we made some mistakes and Al-Hilal played a big match, and we will certainly try to make amends in the coming period," he conceded. The striker's goal extended his strong form for the club this season, though it ultimately proved insufficient to secure points against their fierce Saudi rivals.
This latest Classico encounter added another chapter to the intense rivalry between the two powerhouses, with emotions running high both on the pitch and in the technical area. En-Nesyri's measured but pointed critique reflected the competitive nature of elite Saudi football, where margins between victory and defeat are razor-thin and every decision under scrutiny. Al-Ittihad will seek redemption in their next fixture as they look to climb back up the Roshn League standings.
