In a collision that is filled with excitement and last minute drama, Al-Nussr lined a wish 3-2 In the Saudi Pro League to keep their hope for a top-two finish alive. But in the midst of the late heroics and the rush for points, a simple question hovered over Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City on Tuesday evening: Where was Cristiano Ronaldo?
The Portuguese icon’s absence from the Matchday squad stared. Fans, Pundits and the media were left wondering: Had he been injured? Was it a suspension? Or had something more serious happening behind the scenes?
With Ronaldo Out and Sadio Mane also not availableThe burden to carry al-Nassr forward fell on less expected axles. The match developed in a wild way. Damac hit first Through an unusually own goal that saw Abdelkader Bedrane’s headline recovered from the post and Ricochet from Ramzi Solan in the net.
Just seven minutes later, Aymeric Laporte leveledReaks quickly to a poorly cleared corner and shoots through traffic for their fourth league goal for the season. It sets the tone for a chaotic meeting. After the break, Ali al-Hassan Fred al-Nassr forward with a nice finish in the upper corner, just for Nicolae Stanciu to reply back within three minutesHis curled effort a thing of beauty.
But it was Sultan Al-Ghannam’s 94-minute winner It sealed it-a scary finish in a crowded box that sent al-Nassr faithful to ecstasy. The result moved them to 60 pointsonly two behind the second-placed al-hilal and kept them marginally before Al-ahliWhich also secured a 3-2 victory over Al-Wehda.
Why was Ronaldo missing?
It was not until after the match that clarity arose about Cristiano Ronaldo’s surprise. The decision, according to several media sources, was a calculated decision.
“Cristiano Ronaldo has got a rest by Al-Nassr Manager Stefano Pioli to ensure that he is fully prepared for the imminent AFC Champions League quarter final against Yokohama Marinos,” reported Several stores.
The 40-year-old talisman has been central to Al-Nassr’s continental campaign, and with an important collision just a few days away, Pioli chose to handle his star’s workload carefully. The absence of SadiomanDue to accumulated yellow cards, the decision to relocate tactics-relocation from a 4-4-2 to a more expansive 4-3-3, with Jhon Duran leads the line.
“This tactical conversation is designed to keep the 40-year-old in top form for the most important continental matchup,” pronounced the club’s media sources.
