for the first of Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr dominates Al Ettifaq

Big event in Saudi Arabia this Sunday evening. On behalf of the 14th day of the Saudi Pro League, Al Nassr received Al-Ettifaq. The opportunity for the Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo to make his grand premiere in his new colors in an official match. The Portuguese, who shone in a gala match against PSG (4-5) on Thursday, was obviously starter and captain for this important match. Because the formation of Rudi Garcia could regain the lead of the championship in front of Al Hilal (and with one game less) in the event of victory against Al-Ettifaq. The team trained by Frenchman Patrice Carteron, formerly of Dijon, was notably composed of Marcel Tisserand.

In a sold-out stadium, CR7 was logically welcomed as a superstar. Festive atmosphere in the stadium, fans on fire, a beautiful tifo for the kick-off, the meeting had something to be exciting. With each ball touched by the former legend of Real Madrid, the fans were on fire. We had to wait a few minutes to see him shine with the ball. After a confusing control, he opened the goal and placed a powerful shot that was just deflected by Tisserand. That’s all for the first period in a meeting of a correct level, but a fairly low pace. Followed regularly by two or three players, Cristiano Ronaldo finally helped his team to open the scoring. On a center in the box, the Portuguese missed his head by a hair, but attracted the entire defense with him. This benefited the top scorer in the championship, Talisca, who opened the scoring (1-0, 31st). The former Benfica scored his 12th goal of the season.

To read
Al Nassr – Al Ittifaq: the compositions are there

Cristiano Ronaldo discreet but applied

Despite this opener, Al Nassr did not seem able to drive the point home. CR7’s teammates were showing too much selflessness and constantly looking for the Portuguese, which tended to waste a few opportunities. As the match progressed, Cristiano Ronaldo slowly decreased in intensity and was content to play simple in return. But he did not go far from his first goal at the end of the game. After a dribble of which he has the secret which mystified his opponent, he saw his shot from a closed angle being repelled by the Brazilian goalkeeper Paulo Victor. A few minutes earlier, his return scissor attempt did not end in a goal opportunity.

That’s it for Cristiano Ronaldo’s first with Al Nassr. Still recovering physically, the five-time Ballon d’Or did not miss his first with his new club even if he obviously wanted to find the net. The supporters, who came in large numbers this Sunday evening, will still wait a bit to see a “SUUU” sound in the stadium. But the main thing is elsewhere after this meeting. With this precious success, Al Nassr regains the lead in the championship and establishes itself as a real contender for the final title ahead of his rival Al Hilal. Next match for CR7 and his band, in 4 days, for the clash against the other rival Al Ittihad (3rd in the standings) in the semi-finals of the Saudi Arabian Super Cup.