6-2 Win in Tashkent Delivered Without Rested Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo remained in Saudi Arabia on Monday as Al-Nassr traveled to Uzbekistan for their AFC Champions League fixture against Pakhtakor. Head coach Ange Postecoglou opted to leave the forward behind alongside Kingsley Coman and Mohamed Simakan, managing squad workload while navigating regional security protocols.
## Postecoglou Adjusts Al-Nassr Selection Strategy for Continental Away TripsThe exclusion of key senior players altered Al-Nassr’s starting lineup in Tashkent, though the Saudi Arabian side adjusted effectively to deliver a 6-2 victory over Pakhtakor. Forward Joao Felix scored twice during the match, stepping up in attack as the technical staff managed player fitness through a congested travel calendar.
Ronaldo entered the fixture window following a hat-trick against Al Kholood in the Saudi Pro League, taking his tally to nine goals in 12 appearances across all competitions this season. The Portuguese forward sits on 985 career goals across his professional career.
“Given the pressure of matches and the amount of travel involved,” Postecoglou said regarding his decision to leave key players behind in Riyadh.
“Every top team must embrace the top player, but the top player must also make way for the team,” former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said on ESPN. “He is of course a tremendous player, one of the all-time greats. But that is also the reality over the last seven, eight years, he simply can no longer deliver.”
Reporting contributed by Sam Brookes.