Kalidou Koulibaly is confident Al-Hilal will be a tough team to beat after keeping their second clean sheet in their win over Al-Ettifaq.
Al-Hilal had earned a comfortable 2-0 victory over Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettfiaq in the Saudi Pro League’s fourth round on Monday.
Koulibaly, who missed Al-Hilal’s opening games of the campaign due to injury, returned to the starting lineup and made his first league start for the Blues.
Despite a tough start, Malcom gave Al-Hilal the lead after 24 minutes as Salem Al-Dawsari doubled their advantage before half-time.
The win comes before their highly-anticipated Saudi El Clasico against Karim Benzema’s Al-Ittihad in the upcoming round on Friday.
“We are always looking to keep a clean sheet,” Koulibaly told SSC Sport. “With [Yassine] Bounou and Ali [Al-Boleahi], I feel we are more secure at the back and we try to do our best and give freedom to the attackers.
“After we scored, the game became easier for us but we have to keep going. Overall, it was a difficult game for me because it was my first game in ten days due to injury.
“I feel good, mentally and physically. Very happy to be here and play for these supporters. I will give them my 200 per cent because they deserve it,” he added.
While Koulibaly’s return counts as a boost for Al-Hilal, the record Asian champions still await the debut of £78 million star signing Neymar.
The Brazilian winger arrived in Saudi Arabia with an injury he sustained during his time with Paris Saint-Germain but he could be available for Al-Hilal in the derby against Al-Ittihad.