Al Nassr failed to return to winning form against Al Shabab after going two consecutive matches without a victory. Cristiano Ronaldo’s team has struggled this season, currently sitting fourth in the Saudi Pro League standings. This position leaves them temporarily out of Asian competitions like the AFC Champions League Elite. Despite Al Shabab’s strong defensive effort, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a crucial goal that secured a 2-2 draw for Al Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal came after a precise through pass, which the Portuguese star controlled before firing past Georgiy Bushchan with authority. With this strike, Ronaldo now has 18 goals in the Saudi Pro League, making him the league’s top scorer this season. However, his goal sparked controversy as referees initially ruled him offside. After a VAR review, the goal was confirmed as valid.
Al Nassr’s struggles in midfield are taking a serious toll on the team. Marcelo Brozovic and Ali Al Hassan have not provided the stability the team needs. As a result, the defense often looks vulnerable. This was clear when Al Fatil received a red card. A poor pass from Brozovic left him exposed, forcing him to commit a foul.
Al Nassr’s defensive struggles are surprising. The team has two quality defenders in Mohammed Simakan and Aymeric Laporte. However, they rarely play together due to injuries, suspensions, and other setbacks. Pioli’s alternatives lack the quality needed to compete with top teams like Al Hilal and Al Ittihad.
Al Nassr struggles defensively but remains one of the most prolific offenses in the Saudi Pro League. The team features Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Angelo, Jhon Jader Duran, and Wesley. This gives coach Pioli plenty of attacking options. However, the team’s lack of balance is a major concern. Defensive issues continue to leave their backline exposed.
see also
Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo issues apology to Saudi Pro League: ‘This should not happen again’
Can Al Nassr still win the Saudi Pro League title this season?
Al Nassr faces an uphill battle in the Saudi Pro League title race. They are currently 10 points behind Al Ittihad. Winning the league is still possible, but the outcome is not fully in their control. To close the gap, they must win their games and hope Al Ittihad, Al Hilal, and Qadisiya drop points.
Why has Al Nassr’s sports project struggled to find success?
Cristiano Ronaldo has been a standout success in the Saudi Pro League with his goal-scoring form. However, Al Nassr has failed to build a competitive team around him. Unlike Al Hilal or Al Ittihad, they did not reinforce the defense or midfield with top-quality players. This has left Cristiano without the support needed to compete at the highest level.
Marcelo Brozovic and Aymeric Laporte have struggled to meet expectations. As a result, Al Nassr appears very unbalanced. Instead of reinforcing the fullbacks, defense, or midfield, the club focused on strengthening its attack. This decision has left their squad looking weaker than their closest rivals. Consequently, they have fallen short of the expected success in terms of titles.
