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September 18, 2024
Al Nassr, a Saudi Pro League team, has made a significant move by appointing the highly experienced former AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli, the club announced.
Portuguese coach Luis Castro was fired by Al Nassr, which is led by Cristiano Ronaldo. This follows the team’s dismal start to the season, which included winning just one of its three league games.
Pioli, 58, agreed to a three-year contract.
The Italian tactician was named the season’s best coach after leading Milan to the 2021–22 Serie A championship.
In the 2022–2023 season, he also led the Rossoneri to the Champions League semifinals.
Having managed Lazio, Internazionale, and Fiorentina, Pioli has a wealth of coaching experience in Italy. However, this will be his first managerial assignment overseas.
The Saudi Pro League match on Friday, a crucial fixture for Al Nassr, will be played at Al-Ettifaq. Al Nassr, which drew 1-1 with Al Shorta in Baghdad on Monday in the redesigned Asian Champions League, will play there.
Dani Carvajal, a Real Madrid defender, disclosed that he sustained a “serious cruciate ligament injury” during his team’s 2-0 La Liga victory over Villareal on Saturday.
When the Spain international attempted to play the ball upfield and collided with Villarreal winger Yemry Pino, he injured his knee. At the end of the second half, he was stretchered off in apparent distress.
Later, Carvajal revealed on Instagram the nature of his knee injury and stated that it would need surgery, preventing him from participating for several months.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti’s post-game comments revealed the deep concern and solidarity within the Real Madrid team for their injured teammate, Dani Carvajal.
“It looks like a serious knee injury, it has to be evaluated in the next few hours,” Ancelotti said in his post-match news conference. “The dressing room is sad and worried. Something happened that we wish wouldn’t happen. It happens with this schedule. Unfortunately it’s happened to a very important player for us.”
After a 2023–24 season in which he won a Champions League and La Liga double with Real Madrid and then won Euro 2024 with Spain, Carvajal was selected for the men’s 2024 Ballon d’Or shortlist.
“He’s a fundamental player for us with his experience, his seriousness, and his professionalism,” Ancelotti said. ” He’s obviously sad and disappointed, but there isn’t much to do. We’ll see what the medical assessment says and then think about his recovery.”
Carvajal’s injury in extra time overshadowed Madrid’s victory on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu, even though Federico Valverde had given Madrid the lead in the first half and Vinícius Júnior had added a spectacular second goal after the break.
“It’s a shame,” Valverde said. “In the end, the result isn’t the most important thing, Carva’s health is what matters.”
After Vinicius was substituted out in the 79th minute due to a shoulder issue, Ancelotti was also questioned about the player’s fitness and the severity of the injury.
“He’s stiff,” Ancelotti said. “He had a cervical problem, he’s in pain. He’ll have tests in the next few hours.”
The Italian stated that with Lucas Vázquez the only option for Carvajal in the starting lineup, it was premature to think about whether Madrid might have to acquire a right-back.
“This isn’t the day,” he said. “We have a lot of faith in Lucas Vazquez. During this break, we’ll have time to talk about it. The market is closed, there aren’t a lot of options.”
With their victory, Madrid is now tied with leaders Barcelona on 21 points ahead of their Sunday visit to Alavés, a significant development in the current league standings.
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