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Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Saudi Professional League motion as captain within the doubtlessly essential Al Nassr vs Al Hilal showdown on the prime of the desk on Friday – and fellow ahead Talisca gave his facet a scintillating begin by scoring after a minute at Al-Awwal Park.
Talisca collected Otavio’s cross and fired in to open the scoring within the derby recreation, which already seems like a must-win fixture for the third-placed hosts, who’re six factors behind reigning champions Al Hilal after eight video games for every of the 2 groups.
Second-placed Al Ittihad, whose stars embody Champions League winners Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante, are additionally six factors above Al Nassr, though they’ve performed 9 matches.
All eyes on derby day underneath the lights of AlAwwal Park 💛
Can you’re feeling the thrill? Let’s get this win, Nassrawis ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/Bx1OTBLaI7
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) November 1, 2024
Al Nassr beginning lineup: Ronaldo restored
“You within the stands, us on the pitch,” Ronaldo informed his membership’s followers on social media on Thursday. “Collectively as one. See you on the recreation.”
Al Nassr surprisingly dropped factors for the third time this season within the absence of prime scorer Ronaldo in opposition to newly-promoted Al Kholood final Friday.
All eyes on derby day underneath the lights of AlAwwal Park 💛
Can you’re feeling the thrill? Let’s get this win, Nassrawis ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/Bx1OTBLaI7
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) November 1, 2024
They had been heading in the right direction to undergo a primary defeat underneath new supervisor Stefano Pioli till Talisca’s Ninety fifth-minute equaliser secured a 3-3 draw.
Ronaldo is assumed to have missed the sport as a result of his companion, Georgina Rodriguez, had been handled in hospital for pneumonia, later thanking employees on Instagram as she introduced her restoration.
Regardless of Ronaldo’s return, Italian Pioli duly misplaced for the primary time in his tenure with a 1-0 defeat at residence to Al Taawoun, who’re tenth within the prime flight, within the final 16 of the King Cup on Tuesday.
🎬 Final touches ⚽️#AlHilal pic.twitter.com/HwmhavLjXc
— AlHilal Saudi Membership (@Alhilal_EN) November 1, 2024
Why is Neymar out?
One other famous person of the Saudi Professional League, Neymar, didn’t make his return in opposition to Al Nassr as a result of he has not been registered to play.
Saudi golf equipment are allowed a most of 10 non-Saudi gamers registered of their 25-man league squads, and Neymar’s long-term knee harm precluded him from being named firstly of the season.
Fellow Brazilian Renan Lodi took Neymar’s place, however the striker – who’s the world’s most costly participant – is eligible for the AFC Champions League, which Al Hilal subsequent play in on November 4.
🔹 Lineup 𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑭𝑰𝑹𝑴𝑬𝑫 ✅#AlHilal 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/kL4cVgPMup
— AlHilal Saudi Membership (@Alhilal_EN) November 1, 2024
Al Hilal had the numerous comfort of together with former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic of their beginning line-up in opposition to Al Nassr.
The Serbia worldwide’s 10 targets made him the Saudi Professional League prime scorer earlier than kick-off, with two greater than next-nearest rival Benzema and 4 greater than third-placed Ronaldo.
Wideman Joao Cancelo, who had mortgage spells with Bayern Munich and Barcelona from Manchester Metropolis final season, began for Al Hilal, whereas two-time African Footballer of the 12 months Sadio Mane partnered Talisca and Ronaldo of their opponents’ assault.
