Al-Nassr FC of Saudi Arabia is preparing for a new continental challenge as they travel to Turkmenistan to face Erkadag FC in a highly anticipated match at the Ashgabat Olympic Stadium in Ashgabat this Wednesday evening. This match is the first leg of the Round of 16 in the AFC Champions League, and Al-Nassr aims to secure a positive result to take into the second leg and advance to the quarterfinals.

With a rich history and
historical dominance, Al-Nassr boasts a stellar record against Turkmen clubs, having never tasted defeat or even a draw in their previous encounters. Al-Nassr fans fondly recall their 1995 Asian Championship match against Kopetdag, where they triumphed 2-1 thanks to a brace from legendary players Mohaisen Al-Jamaan and Majed Abdullah. The two teams met again in 1998, with Al-Nassr securing a 1-0 victory courtesy of a goal from Ibrahim Al-Essa, further bolstering the team's confidence ahead of today's match.

The path to qualification and the disparity in levels:
Al-Nassr enters the match at the peak of its continental form, having qualified for this stage deservedly after topping Group D with a perfect record of 18 points, winning all six of its matches. This achievement reflects the team's attacking prowess and defensive organization. In contrast, Arkadag qualified as runner-up in Group B with only 7 points, having secured one win, four draws, and one loss, highlighting the numerical and technical differences between the two sides in favor of the Saudi team.

With a morale boost and despite key absences
domestically, Al-Nassr has successfully overcome its recent slump, achieving a remarkable run of six consecutive victories, the latest being a valuable win in the derby against Al-Ittihad. This gives the players a significant morale boost as they take a significant step towards the continental quarterfinals. Despite the confirmed absence of their captain, the Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nassr's squad is brimming with stars capable of making a difference.

Based on the available squad list for the match, the coaching staff is relying on a formidable array of international and local stars. The list includes prominent names such as Frenchman Kingsley Coman, his compatriot Mohammed Simakan, Croatian Marcelo Brozovic, Portuguese João Félix, Brazilian Ángel Gabriel, Spaniard Iñigo Martínez, Senegalese Sadio Mané, and the talented full-back Sultan Al-Ghannam. This star-studded lineup underscores Al-Nassr's serious intent to compete for the title.

home
team, Arkadağ, hopes to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to pull off an upset or at least secure a positive result that keeps their hopes alive. The Turkmen side relies on a group of players who performed well in the group stage, including Didar Durdiyev, Bayram Atayev, Gurbanov, Mekan Sapporo, Shammat Haydarov, and Anaguliyev. This match is particularly significant as it reflects the development of Saudi Arabian football and the ambition of its clubs to dominate various continental tournaments under their new format.

Atalanta managed to keep their hopes alive for qualifying for the Champions League, after achieving an important and difficult 2-1 victory over their guest Cremonese, in the match that brought them together on Monday as part of the twenty-fourth round of the Italian Football League “Calcio”.

Match details and goal scenarios

Atalanta asserted their dominance early on, effectively sealing the victory in the first half. Montenegrin striker Nikola Krstović opened the scoring in the 13th minute, capitalizing on a perfectly weighted cross from teammate Giacomo Raspadori. Davide Zappacosta quickly doubled the lead in the 25th minute, finishing off a brilliant individual effort with a powerful shot from a tight angle that found the back of the net.

In contrast, Cremonese tried to get back into the game, but it was too late. Their only goal came in stoppage time (90+4) through Norwegian Morten Thorsby. This goal came immediately after a dramatic moment when VAR intervened to disallow a third Atalanta goal for offside, adding considerable excitement to the final stages of the match.

The historical complex and the assertion of superiority

This victory further cements Atalanta's historical and psychological dominance over their opponent, Cremonese. Statistics show that Cremonese has now gone sixteen consecutive matches without a win against their rivals in all competitions, with their last victory dating back to February 1994 when they won 2-0 in the league. This long losing streak reflects the widening gap in quality between the two clubs over the past three decades, as Atalanta has become a consistent contender for European qualification.

The two teams' positions in the standings

With this valuable victory, Atalanta raised their points tally to 39, securing seventh place. Although they are still seven points adrift of the final Champions League qualification spot, this win provides a significant morale boost as they continue to pressure the top four teams in the remaining matches of the season. Meanwhile, Cremonese's situation worsened as they remain stuck on 23 points in fifteenth place, suffering their eleventh defeat of the season. This leaves them in a precarious position and necessitates a reassessment of their strategy to avoid slipping into the relegation zone.

Preparing for the European arena

This result is doubly important for Atalanta as it comes ahead of a crucial continental fixture. The team is preparing for the Champions League play-off round against Borussia Dortmund, a highly anticipated clash. The matches are scheduled for the 17th and 25th of this month, and this domestic victory provides the players and coaching staff with the necessary mental stability before traveling to face the German giants.

In a related context regarding the matches of the round, attention will later turn to the match between fifth-placed Roma and their guest Cagliari, in a match whose result may directly affect the shape of the competition for the top positions in the standings.

Al-Midan presents its readers with the schedule of matches for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, a day packed with sporting events across various international, local, and continental stadiums. Football fans eagerly anticipate a day of exciting and competitive action, with attention focused on English stadiums for another round of the world's strongest league, in addition to the intense competition in the AFC Champions League, European cup matches, and domestic league fixtures.

The ultimate thrill in the English Premier League

The English Premier League is capturing the attention of the global sports community, with today's matches featuring heavyweight clashes that could shape the title race in the final stretch of the season. Manchester United travels to West Ham United for a crucial encounter, given the long history of rivalry between the two clubs and their shared desire to improve their league position. In another classic derby, Chelsea hosts Leeds United, while Tottenham Hotspur welcomes Newcastle United in what promises to be an open and attacking affair, featuring some of the star players on both sides.

Al-Ittihad on an Asian mission, and Al-Gharafa awaits

On the continental level, the AFC Champions League, the most prestigious club competition in Asia, continues, with Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad facing Qatar's Al-Gharafa in a crucial match. This game is of paramount importance to Al-Ittihad, who are aiming to reaffirm their continental dominance and advance to the knockout stages, relying on their large fan base and extensive experience in Asian competitions. In another equally important match, Qatar's Al-Sadd will meet Iran's Tractor in a clash always characterized by physicality and tactical intensity.

Cup and domestic league matches

Away from the English and Asian spotlight, Italian stadiums host a Coppa Italia clash between Napoli and Como, with the southern Italian side aiming to continue their quest for the title. Locally, the Yelo Serie A continues its relentless pursuit of promotion to the Saudi Professional League, featuring crucial matches for established clubs like Al-Wahda and Al-Faisaly.

Here are the full schedules for today's matches in Mecca time:

English Premier League
: West Ham vs. Manchester United (11:15 PM)
, Chelsea vs. Leeds United (10:30 PM),
Everton vs. Bournemouth (10:30 PM),
Tottenham vs. Newcastle United (10:30 PM)

AFC Champions League:
Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Gharafa (9:15 PM)
Tractor vs. Al-Sadd (7:00 PM)

Italian Cup
Napoli vs Como (11:00 PM)

Yellow League (Saudi First Division)
Al-Anwar vs. Jeddah (3:40 PM)
Al-Wahda vs. Al-Faisaly (6:55 PM)