Arabian Weekly report
RIYADH — Al Hilal’s prolific striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is set to unleash his goal-scoring prowess against Al Nassr in the highly anticipated Riyadh Derby, marking the first clash of the Saudi Professional League’s season.
Since his summer move from Fulham, Mitrovic has been a relentless force, netting 11 goals in 12 Roshn Saudi League games. Hailed as “merciless” by Al Hilal manager Jorge Jesus, Mitrovic only trails behind Al Nassr’s superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in the league’s scoring charts, with the Portuguese forward boasting 15 goals in 13 games this campaign.
As Al Hilal enters the derby with a four-point lead over Riyadh rivals, Mitrovic remains resolute in his goal-scoring mission. In an exclusive interview, he expressed his dedication, saying, “I want to score goals all the time. It’s my job, and it’s what I love to do. The more you score, the better you feel.”
Mitrovic, with 18 goals in 19 games across all competitions for Al Hilal this season, shares an identical tally with his Al Nassr counterpart, Ronaldo. Notable among his achievements are two hat-tricks, including a memorable Roshn Saudi League treble against Al Ittihad and another in the AFC Champions League’s 6-0 win versus Mumbai City.
The roaring chants of ‘Mitro’s on Fire’ echo through the stadiums, a rendition adopted by Al Hilal fans from Mitrovic’s days in England. Delighted by this tradition, Mitrovic expressed his joy, saying, “It’s amazing. Every game, it’s a full stadium, and I score goals, and you can hear a big roar. I’m glad that they’ve adopted this here and always glad to hear it.”
The stage is set for the Riyadh Derby at the King Fahd International Stadium, with a 68,000-capacity sellout and millions tuning in globally. As the battle unfolds on Friday, December 1, at 9 pm Saudi Arabian time, Mitrovic aims to continue his goal-scoring spree, adding another chapter to his phenomenal season. #MitroOnFire #RiyadhDerby #RSL