Al-Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou has pushed back against harsh criticism directed at club captain Cristiano Ronaldo following the team’s crushing 4-0 defeat to UAE side Al-Ain. The match, which served as the league phase opener for the AFC Champions League, saw the Saudi giants struggle significantly, with Ronaldo himself limited to a single shot on target and caught offside twice during the 90-minute encounter.
The scrutiny intensified during the post-match press conference, where a journalist questioned the overall impact of the Portuguese star on the current squad. Challenging the assertion that Ronaldo contributed nothing during the loss, Postecoglou mounted a robust defense of his captain. While acknowledging the disappointment of the result, the manager emphasized that the club’s heavy fixture schedule played a part in the difficult performance.
Despite the frustration of the Al-Ain match, Ronaldo has maintained a solid output early in the season. After missing the majority of the team’s pre-season preparations due to international commitments with Portugal and his wedding to partner Georgina Rodriguez, the forward has still managed to record three goals across his seven appearances for the club.
Following this setback, the team faces an extended period away from competitive action due to the upcoming international break. The squad is now focused on regrouping before their return to the pitch, with their next Saudi Pro League fixture scheduled against Diriyah on October 9th. The report also notes that they were thumped 4-0 by UAE-based side Al-Ain in the first game of the league phase. The report also notes that ronaldo didn’t have the best of games as he was caught offside twice and was limited to just one shot on target throughout the full 90 minutes. The report also notes that the Al-Nassr head coach hit back with a strong response.
