Al-Nassr's first football team has completed all its technical and physical preparations for the highly anticipated match against Al-Riyadh on Monday evening, as part of the 20th round of the Saudi Professional League. The match will be held at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Al-Malaz, and comes at a time when Saudi football is experiencing a qualitative leap and unprecedented global attention.
Intensive preparations in Dar Al-Nasr
Al-Nasr Stadium hosted the team's final training session this afternoon, overseen by the coaching staff led by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus. Before the session began, the experienced coach held a lengthy meeting with the players, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming stage and the necessity of continuing their winning streak to solidify the team's position in the league standings. The meeting included a detailed analysis of Al-Riyadh's strengths and weaknesses, before the training shifted to purely tactical aspects and the implementation of specific game plans.
Tactical rest for Ronaldo and significant absences
In a notable move, the coaching staff decided to exclude the team's captain and star player, Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, from the starting lineup for the Riyadh match. This decision stems from the coach's desire to give the "Madeira Rocket" a rest, especially after the considerable physical exertion and exceptional performances he has delivered in recent consecutive matches. Rotation is a fundamental part of major clubs' strategies to maintain the fitness of their star players and prevent muscle injuries during long and demanding seasons.
Regarding other absences, Frenchman Kingsley Coman and Croatian Marcelo Brozovic have been confirmed out of the match. Coman's absence is due to fatigue and accumulated physical exertion, while Brozovic is still in the process of regaining full fitness. The medical and coaching staff have opted to rest them to ensure their strong return in upcoming matches.
New blood and an opportunity for young people
On the other hand, recent training sessions brought good news for Al-Nassr fans, as the participation of young Iraqi player Haider Abdul Karim, who recently joined the team, was confirmed. Haider's inclusion came after he demonstrated high readiness and great enthusiasm during his participation in group training, convincing the coaching staff to add him to the squad, making him a potential game-changer in the upcoming match.
The context of the competition and the importance of the match
This match holds special significance as it's a mini-derby between two teams from the capital, Riyadh. Neighborhood clashes are always fiercely contested and exciting, regardless of any technical differences. Al-Nassr aims to secure the three points in this match to maintain pressure on the league leaders and remain in contention for the title, amidst the intense competition witnessed in the Roshan League this season, which has become a focal point for football fans worldwide thanks to its attraction of some of the brightest stars in the sport.
