Cristiano Ronaldo is a doubt to make his first look of the brand new Saudi Pro League season as Al Nassr goal to proceed their robust begin below Ange Postecoglou at Al Riyadh on Friday.
Al Nassr have begun the Postecoglou period in effective kind, the defending Professional League champions claiming a 4-1 victory within the spherical of 32 of the King’s Cup in opposition to Diriyah earlier than then cruising to a 3-0 win over Al Fateh of their league opener.
Ronaldo missed each of these video games and, whereas it’s hoped he might return in opposition to their neighbours, a pelvic muscle harm might but preserve the Portugal legend on the sideline.
The 41-year-old skilled away from the remainder of the staff on Wednesday as he recovers from that harm, having felt ache when coaching with the squad final week.
It was reported a choice on his availability can be made by the medical workers following Thursday’s coaching session.
With or with out Ronaldo, Al Nassr might be heavy favourites to assert all three factors.
Al Riyadh narrowly prevented relegation final season, surviving by only one level. They opened their marketing campaign with a 4-2 defeat to Al Ettifaq, however bounced again by beating Al Zulfi 2-0 within the King’s Cup.
Their document in opposition to Al Nassr is dreadful. They haven’t prevented defeat in opposition to the champions since a 2-2 attract Could, 2024. Al Nassr accomplished the league double over Al Riyadh final season, profitable 5-1 at residence and 1-0 away.
Group information for Al Riyadh v Al Nassr FC
Whereas Ronaldo’s health stays the topic of doubt, Mohamed Maran (hamstring) and Saad Al-Nasser (ankle) will each miss out, with the previous anticipated to be unavailable for round six weeks.
