Riyadh: Ange Postecoglou has made sweeping changes to Al-Nassr’s starting line-up for their AFC Champions League Elite encounter against Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor, with Cristiano Ronaldo among the notable absentees.
The Australian head coach has opted for a major reshuffle ahead of the fourth-round fixture, leaving several established first-team players out as Al-Nassr look to strengthen their position in the continental competition.
The biggest talking point is the absence of Portuguese superstar Ronaldo, who has not been included in the travelling squad. French defender Mohamed Simakan has also been left out, suggesting Postecoglou has decided to rest key players and rotate his options.
Defensive and Midfield Changes
Defenders Abdulelah Al-Amri and Awad Aman have returned to the starting XI after being named on the bench during Al-Nassr’s previous Saudi Roshn League fixture against Al-Khaleej.
Al-Nassr secured an entertaining 5-3 victory in that encounter, but Postecoglou has opted for changes at the back for the continental assignment.
Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa also returns to the starting line-up after missing the domestic fixture through suspension for accumulated yellow cards.
Meanwhile, Abdullah Al-Khaibari has been named among the substitutes.
Al-Nassr Starting XI Against Pakhtakor
Goalkeeper: Bento Matheus
Defenders: Awad Aman, Inigo Martinez, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Nawaf Boushal
Midfielders: Ayman Yahya, Angelo Gabriel, Samu Costa
Forwards: Sadio Mane, Joao Felix, Abdullah Al-Hamdan
Substitutes
Abdulhadi Al-Alwan, Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi, Saad Al-Nasser, Haidar Abdulkarim, Majed Qashish, Sami Al-Najei, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Abdulrahman Ghareeb, Rakan Al-Ghamdi, Salem Al-Najdi and Abdulrahman Sufyani.
Al-Nassr Target Crucial Continental Victory
Al-Nassr enter the fixture looking to improve their standing in the AFC Champions League Elite campaign. They are currently ninth in the standings with three points from two matches, having registered one victory and one defeat.
Their previous-round fixture against UAE side Al-Wasl was postponed, leaving them with a game in hand.
A victory against Pakhtakor would provide a significant boost to their qualification hopes and help the Saudi giants move closer to the knockout stages.
With Ronaldo and Simakan missing from the squad, Postecoglou will be relying on the likes of Sadio Mane and Joao Felix to provide the attacking threat as Al-Nassr look to deliver a crucial result.
