Al-Nassr's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, revealed the real reasons behind his decision to exclude Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo from the squad called up to face Arkadag in the highly anticipated Round of 16 match of the AFC Champions League. This decision comes at a sensitive time in the football season, as the team seeks to compete on all fronts.

League priority and player rotation

In a decisive statement during the pre-match press conference, Jorge Jesus confirmed that the decision stemmed from a purely technical vision aimed at maintaining the team's readiness. He said, "I decided to exclude Cristiano Ronaldo and a number of other key players from the Arkadag match, which is part of the AFC Champions League 2." The veteran coach explained that squad rotation has become a pressing necessity given the pressure of consecutive matches both domestically and continentally.

Jesus indicated that the main reason behind this bold decision was the upcoming domestic fixture, adding: "Al-Nassr has a very tough and important match against Al-Fateh in the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League, which will be held at Al-Fateh's stadium." This statement reflects the coaching staff's desire to field their strongest lineup for the league match, given the importance of the three points in the race for the Saudi League title, which is witnessing fierce competition this season.

The morale boost after El Clásico

Al-Nassr enters this period with extremely high morale, having won their last match in the Saudi Arabian football classic against Al-Ittihad, with a score of 2-0, in the previous round of the Saudi Professional League. This victory not only earned the team three points but also boosted the confidence of the players and coaching staff in their ability to continue winning.

Effort distribution strategy

Resting Ronaldo and other key players is part of a "management strategy" employed by major clubs competing in multiple tournaments. While the AFC Champions League 2, despite its continental importance, may allow for the inclusion of substitutes and young players to prove themselves at certain stages, league matches, especially away games like the one against Al-Fateh, demand the full mental and physical presence of the team's mainstays, most notably captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

Through this careful balance between tournaments, Al-Nasr seeks to avoid muscle injuries and fatigue that may strike the players in the final stretch of the season, making Jesus's decision a proactive step to ensure the competition continues with the same long-term commitment until the end of the season.

Moroccan international striker Youssef En-Nesyri opened his scoring account for Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad, netting his first official goal against Qatar's Al-Gharafa. This came during a hard-fought match between the two teams at Al-Inma Stadium, as part of the seventh round of the group stage (round of 16) of the AFC Champions League, the most prestigious and competitive club competition in Asia.

This goal marks the true beginning of En-Nesyri's journey with Al-Ittihad, as he managed to find the net in only his second appearance for the club. The club signed the Moroccan striker during the last winter transfer window to bolster their attack, a move that Al-Ittihad fans are counting on to help them compete for all available domestic and continental titles this season.

The importance of the goal and its timing for the dean

This goal holds special significance beyond its mere significance as a goal in a match; it represents a tremendous morale boost for the new player, who is eager to quickly prove his worth and integrate into the team's system. The AFC Champions League, in its new format, presents a significant challenge for Saudi clubs, with Al-Ittihad, a two-time Asian champion, striving to reclaim its continental glory and advance to the knockout stages. Winning in the later rounds, such as the seventh, is crucial for securing a high ranking in the group, thus easing the team's path in the subsequent knockout rounds.

Al-Nassiri... a valuable addition to the Tigers' attack

Youssef En-Nesyri is known for his exceptional aerial ability and positioning inside the penalty area, qualities Al-Ittihad has lacked at times. His quick integration into matches and goal-scoring prowess reflect the coaching staff's success in integrating new players. Fans are eagerly anticipating that En-Nesyri will form a formidable attacking partnership with the rest of the team, especially given the fierce competition both domestically in the Roshan League and in the AFC Champions League against elite clubs from the East and West.

Youssef En-Nesyri's numbers with Al-Ittihad so far

After successfully finding the net against Al Gharafa, Youssef En-Nesyri's tally with Al Ittihad is now as follows:

• Number of matches played: 2 matches.
• Number of goals scored: 1 goal.
• Number of assists: 0.
• Total goal contributions: 1.

With this goal, En-Nesyri sends a message of reassurance to the Al-Ittihad fans that he is ready to take responsibility and lead the attack in the upcoming matches.

Professor Bader Al-Ruziza, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Qadisiyah Club, announced the comprehensive strategic plan for launching the club's new academy branch in Al-Ahsa Governorate, a move he described as pivotal within the club's expansion project. Al-Ruziza emphasized that this initiative is not merely a geographical expansion, but a carefully considered step aimed at discovering and developing footballing talent in one of the regions of Saudi Arabia that has historically been the most prolific in producing footballing talent.

Ambitious strategy: 2500 players and world-class quality

In exclusive statements to Al-Midan Al-Riyadi newspaper, Al-Ruzaiza explained that the ambitions of “Bani Qadis” rise to exceed the traditional concepts of local academies, saying: “Our main goal is to reach a database that includes 2,500 players in the academies. Our choice of Al-Ahsa did not come out of nowhere, as it is a fertile and birthing ground for innate talents, and our expansion in it represents a real investment in the source of stars that has always been the primary source of Saudi football with brilliant names that served the national teams.”.

The president of Al-Qadisiyah stressed that the governing standard at this stage is "quality and professionalism," adding: "Our goal is to keep pace with major academies worldwide in terms of work mechanisms and development. We have in mind successful global models such as the Liverpool FC Academy and major European clubs. We are not looking to accumulate numbers, but rather to establish a sound foundation according to the latest scientific methods. You can go back and watch our last match against Al-Fateh to see for yourselves the true value of Al-Qadisiyah and its overwhelming popularity in Al-Ahsa.".

Al-Ahsa: A gold mine and the historical heart of Saudi football

Al-Qadisiyah Club's decision to open an academy branch in Al-Ahsa is based on a careful assessment of the Kingdom's sporting and historical landscape. Al-Ahsa, often called the "Brazil of Saudi Arabia," is renowned for its abundance of talent, with players emerging from its local neighborhoods and rural clubs to represent the national teams in various international competitions. Historically, this region has produced football legends who contributed to winning Asian Cups and qualifying for the World Cup, making it an essential strategic choice for any sporting project seeking sustainability and building a solid foundation of youth players to secure the first team's future for many years to come.

The Aramco era: A qualitative leap towards sports sustainability

Al-Qadisiyah Club is currently undergoing an unprecedented transitional phase in its history following its acquisition by Saudi Aramco as part of the sports club privatization project. This acquisition has elevated the club to the ranks of sports institutions with a sustainable investment and technical vision. Al-Qadisiyah's new project extends beyond simply securing high-profile signings for the first team in the Saudi Professional League; it also encompasses infrastructure development and the establishment of a robust youth academy. The opening of academies in strategic locations like Al-Ahsa is an integral part of the club's vision to become a primary source of talent for Saudi national teams, mirroring European models that focus on developing players rather than simply purchasing them.

Strong artistic presence in the Roshan League

On the field, Al-Qadisiyah's first football team continues to deliver impressive performances, reflecting the club's diligent management. In their last match in the Roshan Professional League, the team drew 1-1 against Al-Fateh. The match, held in Al-Ahsa, showcased the "Knights of the East" with a strong character and impressive fan support, confirming the club's steadily improving performance alongside its administrative and investment development, and bolstering the prospects for the success of its new project in the region.