Cristiano Ronaldo rested for Al-Nassr's AFC Champions League trip to Pakhtakor
The Al-Nassr captain will miss Monday's match in Uzbekistan as Ange Postecoglou manages a busy schedule.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Kingsley Coman and Mohamed Simakan have been left out of Al-Nassr's squad for Monday's AFC Champions League match against Pakhtakor in Tashkent. Ronaldo recently took his career tally to 985 goals with a hat-trick against Al Kholood.
Key takeaways
- Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Al-Nassr's AFC Champions League match against Pakhtakor on Monday
- Kingsley Coman and Mohamed Simakan have also been rested for the trip to Uzbekistan
- Ronaldo took his career goal tally to 985 with a hat-trick in the 5-3 win over Al Kholood last Thursday
- Al-Nassr have three points from two Champions League games after beating Neftchi Fergana 3-1
- Al-Nassr are ninth in the AFC Champions League Elite table with three points from two matches
Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Al-Nassr's AFC Champions League match against Pakhtakor in Uzbekistan on Monday, according to 101 Great Goals. The Portugal forward has been left at home by coach Ange Postecoglou as the Saudi club manages a busy schedule and travel demands. The match kicks off at 13:45 UK time in Tashkent and is not available to watch or stream in the UK.
Team news and expected line-ups
Alongside Ronaldo and Coman, defender Mohamed Simakan also did not make the trip to Tashkent, said 101 Great Goals. Samu Costa is available for selection after missing Thursday's Saudi Pro League win over Al Kholood through suspension.
Pakhtakor defender Khozhiabar Alizhonov is an injury doubt for the hosts. Pakhtakor's expected line-up is Nazarov; Karimov, Tahseen, Pouraliganji, Nasrullaev; Sobirkhuzhaev, Buriev, Ibrokhimov; Khamdamov, Flamarion, Hussein. Al-Nassr's expected line-up is Bento; Boushal, Al-Sharari, Martinez; Aman; Al-Hamdan, Costa, Angelo, Ghareeb; Felix, Mane.
AFC Champions League Elite context
com. The side beat Pakhtakor's domestic rivals Neftchi Fergana 3-1 at home, following a 4-0 opening defeat to Al-Ain.
Pakhtakor have yet to claim a victory in the Champions League this season and, having recently lost at home to Neftchi Fergana, likely face an uphill task to take anything from the game despite Ronaldo's absence.
Recent results and wider disruption
Ronaldo, 41, took his career tally to 985 goals with a hat-trick in the 5-3 win over Al Kholood last Thursday. Al-Nassr's previous Champions League fixture against Al-Wasl was postponed after travel difficulties prevented the UAE club from reaching Saudi Arabia.
Security concerns have also affected Al-Nassr's home fixtures, with their previous home match in the competition on October 12 delayed by an hour following reports of missile attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
What happens next
Postecoglou explained his rotation policy at a press conference in Uzbekistan, saying he rested Ronaldo and his team-mates given the pressure of matches and the amount of travel involved. Al-Nassr hope to secure a victory against Pakhtakor to improve their position and bolster their chances of competing for the title. The reigning champions return to Saudi Pro League action this Thursday against Al Hazem, according to thenationalnews.com.
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