Jorge Jesus, the Portuguese coach of Al-Nassr, has made significant roster decisions ahead of the upcoming AFC Champions League match against Istiklol Dushanbe. As the team prepares to travel to Tajikistan for the fifth round of the tournament, Jesus announced the absences of several key players.
Notably, Cristiano Ronaldo will not make the trip as he is being rested to manage his workload following a string of intense matches. The absence of French winger Kingsley Coman is also confirmed, as he continues his rehabilitation from an injury that sidelined him in a recent match against Al Khaleej in the Roshn Saudi League. Additionally, goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi was left out of the squad, with Jesus opting to start Brazilian keeper Pinto Matheus instead.
Al-Nassr will arrive in Dushanbe with a strong desire to maintain their impressive form. They currently lead their group with 12 points, ahead of both Iraq’s Al-Zawraa and Istiklol, who each have 6 points. India’s Goa rounds out the group at the bottom without a point to their name. The match is set to start at 4:45 PM Saudi time, and with their current momentum, the team is keen to further solidify their position on the continental stage. This commitment to strategic player management and a deep squad may enhance their chances of securing a vital victory on Wednesday.