‘Physical Problem’: Stefano Pioli Explains Cristiano Ronaldo’s Absence In Al Nassr’s Draw Against Esteghlal | Football News
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Al-Nassr boss Stefano Pioli stated that he preferred to leave Ronaldo out of the Asian Champions League game against Esteghlal, which ended in a 0-0 draw, due to a physical straing.
Stefano Pioli. (X)
Cristiano Ronaldo did not travel to Tehran with the Al Nassr squad for the first leg of their AFC Champions League last-16 fixture against Esteghlal. With Al Nassr missing out on the services of the Portuguese legend, the first-leg tie against Esteghlal ended in a goalless draw. It was claimed that Al Nassr wrote to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to change the venue of the game to a neutral stadium because of the problems faced by Ronaldo in Tehran in the past. A report published by the Daily Mail claimed that, according to the DPA news agency, Al-Nassr wrote a letter to Esteghlal pointing out, “Given Ronaldo’s bad experience in Tehran last year, the match should be played on neutral ground.” The request, however, was rejected.
Al-Nassr boss Stefano Pioli recently shared an update on Ronaldo’s status. Speaking to the reporters, Pioli said, as per GOAL, “He had a physical problem, but I wouldn’t say it was 100% a big problem, but we preferred him not to be in the game.”
This was the third time that Al Nassr had played in Iran. Ronaldo’s first and solitary game in Tehran was against Persepolis in the AFC Champions League in September 2023. The Saudi Pro League outfit had claimed a 2-0 victory in the fixture hosted in an empty ground as Persepolis fans had to serve a stadium ban.
Earlier this year, Al Nassr came back to Iran to take on Persepolis once again in the last game of this season’s Champions League league phase, but Ronaldo did not take part in that goalless draw.
The latest game between Esteghlal and Al Nassr took place at the Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran. Al Nassr received a couple of chances to break the deadlock, but the Saudi club failed to find the back of the net.
Ronaldo’s absence was felt as Al Nassr remained goalless throughout the entire 90 minutes. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid footballer has netted six goals in five Champions League Elite appearances so far this campaign.
In their next game, Al Nassr will be up against Al Shabab in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday, March 8. Having played 23 matches so far in the Saudi Pro League, Al Nassr find themselves at the fourth spot in the standings with 47 points to their name.