Al-Nassr’s head coach, Stefano Pioli, has maintained a positive outlook on his team’s performance, even as they face a wave of criticism following their scoreless draw against Esteghlal in Tehran during their AFC Champions League round of 16 match.
Since stepping into the manager’s role on September 18, after Luis Castro, Pioli has endured a mixed run, with 11 of his 30 matches ending without a win, including a lone victory in their past five encounters. Despite this, Pioli remains upbeat. “I’m pleased with how we played today,” he told ByanNassr. “Let’s not lose sight of the fact that we still have the return leg to play in Riyadh.”
Al-Nassr recently faced an unprecedented defeat at the hands of Al-Orobah, marking their first ever loss to a team that had only finished second in the Saudi Pro League’s second tier last season. This setback puts them 10 points behind the top-of-the-table Al-Ittihad, with just 11 matches left to turn things around.
The draw at the iconic, 78,116-seat Azadi Stadium left some fans disgruntled, and they took to social media to voice their frustrations. The standout moment for Al-Nassr came when January signing Jhon Duran, bought for a hefty £65 million from Aston Villa, struck the woodwork, only to be repeatedly denied by Esteghlal’s keeper, Hossein Hosseini.
Meanwhile, an Al Nassr fan account with over 61,000 followers didn’t hold back, calling for Pioli’s dismissal. They accused the manager of failing to provide the team, especially with Cristiano Ronaldo on board, with a proper identity. “Something needs to change, and fast,” they urged Majed Jaman Alsorour, the club’s CEO.
Looking ahead, Al-Nassr faces a critical domestic encounter against the sixth-ranked Al-Shabab on Friday, with the second leg against Esteghlal looming on March 10.
A talking point has been Ronaldo’s absence in Iran, which Pioli attributed to “physical reasons,” as per Al Jazirah. The legendary forward, dominant in the Saudi Pro League, was not risked for the arduous trip, given concerns over potential injury. On Instagram, Ronaldo expressed his support for the team with a pre-match rallying cry, showcasing commitment despite not being on the pitch.
The build-up to the Tehran trip was marred by tension, with Al-Nassr reportedly seeking a neutral venue due to past issues, including an unruly scene when Ronaldo and the team visited Iran earlier in the year. Although Ronaldo was absent during a previous Azadi Stadium visit against Persepolis, his team had already secured their spot in the next round.
Former Al-Nassr star Talisca recently spoke on social media, emphasizing that misguided blame hampers team progress. Giving a nod to Duran, he urged fans to dispel the cycle of blame that plagued him during his time at the club and stand by their players.
In the match against Esteghlal, Pioli introduced several changes, including bringing in Sadio Mane and swapping out some key players on the wings and full-back positions. Esteghlal, known for their resilient defense, managed to muster some offensive threats, with both teams failing to break the deadlock in a game marked by strategic plays and near-goals.
Esteghlal, whose legacy includes winning the AFC Champions League titles in 1970 and 1991, currently sits mid-table in their domestic league. However, their rich history in the Persian Gulf Pro League can’t be overlooked.
As the second leg approaches, Ronaldo’s potential return could be a game-changer. Having scored six in this season’s AFC Champions League, the seasoned forward is still a force to reckon with, aiming to boost his team’s quest for glory.
