No Cristiano Ronaldo in AFC Champions League as Al-Nassr Falls to Al-Sadd
In a surprising turn of events, Cristiano Ronaldo was left out of Al-Nassr's squad for their AFC Champions League match against Al-Sadd, and it was clear that his absence was felt on the pitch. The Saudi Arabian side, despite having a solid season under coach Stefano Pioli, fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat to the Qatari club in Riyadh. The game, which was expected to be a thrilling clash in the elite competition, lacked the usual sparkle with Ronaldo's absence, leaving fans and pundits alike questioning the decision.
Ronaldo, who has been in remarkable form for Al-Nassr this season, scoring 15 goals and contributing 3 assists across all competitions, was notably missing from the matchday squad. His exclusion raised many eyebrows, especially considering his pivotal role in the team's success in the AFC Champions League so far. Having scored 4 goals in just 4 appearances in the competition this season, Ronaldo's leadership and goal-scoring abilities have been crucial in Al-Nassr’s journey through the tournament. So why was he missing?
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While there has been no official word of injury, the decision could have been a strategic move by Pioli, who may have wanted to rest the 39-year-old for the upcoming knockout stages of the competition. With Al-Nassr already securing qualification for the next phase, the coach may have felt that Ronaldo’s presence was not absolutely necessary for this match. However, the loss highlighted how dependent the team has become on the legendary forward’s contributions.
Despite Al-Nassr's strong form in recent weeks, with four wins from their last five matches in all competitions, they were unable to overcome a resilient Al-Sadd side. The defeat came in dramatic fashion, with Al-Sadd clinching the win in injury time, leaving the Al-Nassr players and their fans in disbelief. Ronaldo, who watched the match from the stands, appeared visibly disappointed, his usual fiery intensity absent as he took in the frustrating result.
As the dust settles on this defeat, questions about Ronaldo’s future in the squad and Pioli’s tactics will surely dominate discussions. While Al-Nassr remains in a strong position in the AFC Champions League, it’s clear that the team may struggle without their talismanic forward on the pitch. The match against Al-Sadd may have been a reality check for the team, proving just how integral Ronaldo is to their success on the continental stage.
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