Can Al-Nassr Bounce Back Without Ronaldo Against Al Fayha?

The stakes are high as Al-Nassr take on Al Fayha in gameweek 28 of the Saudi Pro League on Saturday. The hosts are desperate to bounce back from their Saudi Super Cup disappointment last week, but must do so without their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo after his red card suspension.

Ronaldo was given his marching orders late on in Al-Nassr’s 2-1 defeat to Al-Hilal in the Super Cup semifinals for clashing with Ali Al Bulayhi. The Portuguese superstar will now miss the next two matches, dealing a huge blow to Al-Nassr’s fading title hopes.

The Riyadh giants currently trail league leaders Al-Hilal by 12 points with just seven games remaining. Their Super Cup exit compounded the disappointment of already being knocked out of the AFC Champions League. Defeat here could signal the end of their hopes of winning any silverware this season.

Al-Nassr head coach Luis Castro cut a dejected figure after the Super Cup loss but must now rally his troops for the visit of mid-table Al Fayha. The Burtuqali have already been eliminated from both cup competitions and will be eyeing an upset here to further dent Al-Nassr’s ambitions.

Castro is expected to hand Abdulrahman Ghareeb a start in Ronaldo’s absence, forming a front three alongside Otavio and Sadio Mane. Talisca remains a long-term absentee while question marks remain over other personnel decisions with David Ospina set for a return in goal.

For the visitors, Fashion Sakala has been in red-hot form with three goals in his last two matches. The Zambian striker will lead the line alongside Anthony Nwakaeme, supported by Abdelhamid Sabiri operating as the No 10.

Al Fayha’s away form has been surprisingly strong this season and they may sense an opportunity without Ronaldo in the Al-Nassr ranks. However, they have a miserable recent record against their upcoming opponents, failing to win any of the last 16 meetings between the two teams.

Castro’s men have been in good league form, winning four games on the spin prior to the Super Cup disappointment. Even without their iconic No 7 leading the charge, home advantage and superior quality across the pitch suggests Al-Nassr should have enough to edge a tight encounter.

The stakes are high for the Riyadh giants as their season threatens to unravel. But a professional performance against Al Fayha could help reignite their fading title aspirations in the closing weeks of the campaign.