"With Cristiano Ronaldo left back in Riyadh, Al-Nassr have also rested several other stars as they face Goa in the AFC Champions League Two. Ronaldo did not make the trip to southwest India, with coach Jorge Jesus explaining Al-Nassr had elected to give him respite from the attention the Portugal talisman receives outside of Saudi Arabia. "Ronaldo is extremely popular outside Saudi Arabia, and many fans want to take pictures with him, especially in India, Iraq, and Hong Kong," Jesus said. "That's why we opted to keep him in Riyadh to maintain his preparation.""
"While the other big names in the Al-Nassr squad have made the trip, Jesus has also chosen to rest Kingsley Coman, Sadio Mane and Joao Felix. All three have been named on the bench as Al-Nassr look to make it three wins from three in Group D. They will be expected to do just that against a Goa side that has yet to claim a point in the competition. Jesus' selection will undoubtedly have been influenced by upcoming fixtures, with Al-Hazm next up in the Saudi Pro League, before a Kings Cup clash with Al-Ittihad next Tuesday."
Al-Nassr kept Cristiano Ronaldo in Riyadh to shield him from intense fan attention abroad and to protect his preparation. Coach Jorge Jesus cited Ronaldo's popularity in countries like India, Iraq and Hong Kong as the reason for giving him respite. Several other high-profile players were rested for the trip to Goa, with Kingsley Coman, Sadio Mane and Joao Felix named on the bench. Al-Nassr aim to secure a third straight Group D victory against a Goa side that has not yet earned a point. Squad selection was influenced by upcoming Saudi Pro League and Kings Cup fixtures.
Read at 101GREATGOALS.COM
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