Nawaf Al-Aqidi returns to the starting line-up for Al Nassr for the first time this season as Cristiano Ronaldo keeps his place for Friday’s Roshn Saudi League meeting with Al Taawoun.
The Saudi club have won each of their opening three matches and go into the fourth-round fixture on nine points, hoping to maintain their perfect start. They have also impressed with their performances in the opening weeks of the campaign, with their 3-2 victory over Al Ettifaq standing out after they played most of that match with 10 men.
Al-Aqidi has been recalled in goal after Al Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou opted to leave out Brazilian goalkeeper Bento Matheus. Bento was sent off during the previous match against Al Ettifaq, opening the way for Al-Aqidi to return and take responsibility for protecting the Al Nassr goal.
Ronaldo starts for the second successive match after featuring from the beginning against Al Ettifaq. The Portugal forward was substituted at half-time in that game, but he remains part of Postecoglou’s attacking plans against Al Taawoun.
He leads the forward line alongside Senegal international Sadio Mane and France winger Kingsley Coman. Joao Felix is also included in the starting XI after making a notable contribution to Al Nassr’s comeback against Al Ettifaq.
The line-up gives Al Nassr a strong attacking group as they attempt to extend their winning run and retain their maximum points tally. The match represents another early test of their ambitions at the top of the Roshn Saudi League, with Ronaldo, Mane and Coman providing the main threat in attack.
Al Nassr starting line-up
Goalkeeper: Nawaf Al-Aqidi
Defenders: Salem Al-Najdi, Mohamed Simakan, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Nawaf Boushal
Midfielders: Samu Costa, Angelo Gabriel, Joao Felix
Forwards: Sadio Mane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kingsley Coman
Postecoglou will be looking for his side to build on the momentum created by their three consecutive victories. Al Nassr’s latest success, the dramatic win over Al Ettifaq, demonstrated their ability to secure results despite difficult circumstances, and they will now attempt to produce another strong display against Al Taawoun.
The return of Al-Aqidi is the main change to the team after Bento’s dismissal, while Ronaldo’s continued selection underlines his importance to the side. With Mane and Coman alongside him and Felix offering an additional attacking threat, Al Nassr will hope their forward players can help them claim a fourth straight league victory.
The match takes place on Friday as part of the fourth round of the Roshn Saudi League. A win would allow Al Nassr to preserve their 100% record and strengthen their early push for the competition’s leading position.
