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March 3, 2024

Al-Nassr’s chances of winning the Asian Champions League are increased by Ronaldo’s return – Saudi Pro League

Ronaldo received a one-game suspension after allegedly making an offensive gesture during a 3-2 Saudi Arabian league victory over Al Shabab.

On Monday, Cristiano Ronaldo will serve his second suspension return. He hopes to salvage Al-Nassr’s season and lead the Saudi outfit to its maiden Asian Champions League triumph.

The 39-year-old was given a one-game ban last Thursday for allegedly making an offensive gesture during a Saudi Arabian league game four days prior. The video appeared to show Ronaldo cupping his ear and repeatedly thrusting his hand forward near his pelvis after a 3-2 victory over Al-Shabab. It looked like the gesture was directed at Al-Shabab supporters.

Due to his punishment, Ronaldo was forced to watch the domestic league match on Thursday from the sidelines. He watched in frustration as Al-Nassr took the lead four times before losing to bottom team Al-Hazm 4–4 at home. As a result, the team is now nine points behind leader Al-Hilal and in second place in the Saudi Pro League.

“Ronaldo strengthens the team and ensures that the opponent respects you more but his absence had nothing to do with the result,” said Al-Nassr coach Luis Castro. “The fact is that we are conceding too many goals, and the problem is not organizational but due to individual mistakes.”

“The league result will not affect our game in the Asian Champions League as we will be fully focused on that.”

Al-Nassr’s best chance of winning a trophy this season lies in the AFC Champions League, where they face a crucial quarterfinal against Al-Ain, the 2003 winners from the UAE. The first leg will be a vital away match, and with domestic success proving elusive, this continental competition offers Al-Nassr their most promising shot at silverware. A strong performance is essential as they aim to advance and reinforce their growing ambition on the Asian stage. Key players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Talisca must lead the push for victory.

Al-Hilal, who has won a record four continental titles, will face 2004 and 2005 champion Al-Ittihad in an all-Saudi Arabia match on Tuesday.

Al-Hilal, currently leading the Saudi Arabian league, is without Neymar, and Al-Ittihad is holding out hope that star striker Karim Benzema will heal from a calf injury.

The two teams played a league match on Friday. Ittihad took the lead thanks to former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, but Al-Hilal rallied for a 3-1 victory, winning 25 games in a row across all competitions.

“The players are playing with great confidence,” said Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus. “This is a good thing because we are facing important matches in a short period, starting with the Asian Champions League and a tough game against Al-Ittihad and we will have to be at our best.”

Al-Ittihad, the defending Saudi Arabian champion is now in fifth in the league and out of the domestic title race.

“We are moving in the right direction and the Asian Champions League quarterfinal is now the most important game of the season for us,” said Ittihad defender Ahmed Hegazy. “We know that it will be tough against Al-Hilal but this is a different game and we are focused on this.”

The AFC Champions League is split into two geographical zones until the final. In the eastern zone, Ulsan Hyundai and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, both two-time champions, will face each other. The victor will go to the championship match to claim a third title.

China’s Shandong Taishan takes on Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos on Wednesday in the final match.

The following week is when the second legs are played.

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