Jobaaj Stories
Damac vs Al-Nassr: A Thrilling 3-2 Victory Without Ronaldo
Al-Nassr secured a dramatic 3-2 win over Damac in the Saudi Pro League, but the match was overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo's absence. The nail-biting victory, filled with late-game heroics, kept Al-Nassr's top-two hopes alive, but left fans wondering about the superstar's whereabouts. This article delves into the match's key moments and explains Ronaldo's surprising omission from the squad.
A Rollercoaster Match
The game at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City was a rollercoaster. Damac took an early lead through a bizarre own goal, only for Aymeric Laporte to equalize swiftly. Ali Al-Hassan put Al-Nassr ahead after the break, but Nicolae Stanciu's stunning response leveled the score once more. It was left to Sultan Al-Ghannam's 94th-minute strike to secure a vital three points for Al-Nassr, sending the home fans into raptures.
Ronaldo's Absence Explained
Cristiano Ronaldo's absence was the main talking point. Speculation ran wild, with injury and suspension being the most popular theories. However, post-match reports revealed that the decision to rest the Portuguese forward was a tactical one, made by manager Stefano Pioli. With a crucial AFC Champions League quarter-final against Yokohama Marinos looming, Pioli prioritized Ronaldo's fitness for that vital clash, managing his workload carefully. Sadio Mane's suspension due to accumulated yellow cards further influenced the decision to shift to a 4-3-3 formation, leaving Jhon Duran to lead the line.
Al-Nassr's Title Ambitions Remain
The victory moved Al-Nassr to 60 points, just two points behind Al-Hilal in second place. Their hopes of a top-two finish remain very much alive with five games left in the season, although Al-Ahli, who also won 3-2, are breathing down their necks. While the win was hard-fought, Al-Nassr's xG of 1.08 suggests they relied on clinical finishing rather than sustained dominance. The performance of Jhon Duran was criticized by some fans as he failed to deliver in Ronaldo's absence. Despite this, Al-Nassr’s determination and late-game resilience ensured victory and maintain their pursuit of Champions League qualification.
Looking Ahead
With Ronaldo rested and ready for the Champions League, Al-Nassr will be hoping to carry this momentum into their crucial clash against Yokohama F. Marinos. The Saudi Pro League title race remains fiercely contested, and Al-Nassr will need to maintain this level of performance if they are to achieve their ambitions.
