Al Nassr faced Esteghlal of Iran on March 3, 2025, drawing 0-0 at the latter's home ground during the first leg of the Asian Champions League Round of 16. This match carries significant weight for Al Nassr, who has historically struggled in this prestigious tournament, having never won the title. Despite showing dominance throughout the match, they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities, requiring them to secure victory at home during the second leg scheduled for March 10, 2025.
The absence of star player Cristiano Ronaldo loomed large over the Saudi team. According to Marca, Ronaldo opted out of the match due to legal concerns stemming from an incident during 2023, where he was charged after an interaction with a fan. This situation led to Al Nassr's decision to leave him off the roster to mitigate potential legal repercussions. His absence was felt on the pitch, as he typically provides creative flair and composure up front.
Despite commanding possession and creating several goal-scoring opportunities, Al Nassr's effectiveness suffered without Ronaldo leading the attack. Jhon Durán and Sadio Mané stepped up to fill the void, but the team managed just one shot on target from 15 attempts.
Coach Stefano Pioli remained optimistic post-match, stating, “The match was challenging without our main star, yet we created chances we couldn’t convert.” His commentary underscored the frustration felt by the players, who saw numerous chances erased by misses or thwarted by Esteghlal's goalkeeper, Hossein Hosseini.
Notable moments included Durán's audacious effort, which saw him shoot directly against the post, and Ayman Yahya’s follow-up attempt getting cleared off the line. These moments encapsulated Al Nassr's struggle to breach Esteghlal's defense. “We need to be more efficient to succeed at home next week,” Durán acknowledged, highlighting the team's need for urgency as they prepare for the return leg.
Esteghlal managed to hold Al Nassr to a stalemate, something they would be pleased with, particularly as they have yet to find their footing, coming off another loss against Persepolis. Nonetheless, the Iranians are aware of the high stakes of the upcoming return leg and will aim to defend their home advantage with all they have.
Evaluators noted Al Nassr's tactical prowess and ability to control the midfield but pointed out the necessity for improving their finishing inside the area. The team’s growing desperation for goals began to show, particularly as they pushed harder as the match drew to its conclusion.
Now eyes move to the return match where Al Nassr has the potential to showcase its depth and skill. They aim to bounce back from this disappointment and demonstrate their capabilities against Esteghlal once more. This match will be pivotal for their aspirations to continue their campaign toward the Asian Champions League title.
With the stakes high, fans from both sides will watch intently as the road to the quarter-finals looms just beyond the horizon. Can Al Nassr convert their considerable talent and home advantage to progress? This question will be answered soon enough as anticipation builds.