Cristiano Ronaldo will take center stage as he leads Al-Nassr against Egyptian side Zamalek SC in their third group-stage match of the Arab Club Championship Cup.
Zamalek’s President, Mortada Mansour, revealed their strategic plan to handle the legendary forward, stating, “All Zamalek players will be watching Ronaldo, and we won’t give him the chance to score on Thursday.”
Zamalek SC looks determined to contain the prolific goalscorer, who previously broke the deadlock for Al-Nassr in their match against Monastir with a powerful header in the 74th minute.
The third-place team in the Egyptian Premier League, Zamalek, recognizes the significance of containing Ronaldo, who poses the most significant threat in Al-Nassr’s attacking lineup.
🚨 Al Nassr need a Win or a Draw in their next game vs Zamalek to qualify for the Quarter Final of the Arab Cup. pic.twitter.com/nda9QySxy5
— 7 (@NoodleHairCR7) July 31, 2023
The Egyptian side, who plays in a 4-2-3-1 formation, intends to employ meticulous man-marking tactics to contain Cristiano Ronaldo. Their double pivot of Nabil Ahmed and Omar Gabar could drop deeper, engaging in a contest with the prolific forward and challenging him in the area he seeks to operate, aiming to neutralize his impact on the game.
For Zamalek, this fixture holds utmost importance as they seek to bounce back from their defeat to Al-Shabab and secure a spot in the top two positions in Group C of the competition.
With three teams vying for qualification, including Zamalek, Al-Shabab, and Al-Nassr, the outcome of this match could significantly influence the standings and set the course for further progression in the tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo has featured in four games in the last six days
To mitigate Al-Nassr’s attacking threat, Zamalek needs to remain adaptable with their tactics, especially considering the possibility of Cristiano Ronaldo not starting for the Saudi Pro League side.
The 38-year-old Portuguese star has had a busy start to the season, featuring in four games over the last six days for Al-Nassr. Notably, the team participated in pre-season friendlies in Japan, engaging in heavyweight clashes against PSG and Inter Milan. Ronaldo, being the star attraction for the Saudi side, played 66 minutes against PSG and 45 minutes against Inter Milan.
💪 @Cristiano has featured in FOUR games in the last SIX days 😲
Reminder: he’s 38 years old 😱 pic.twitter.com/aoMX2Fv1tV
— 433 (@433) July 31, 2023
After the pre-season, Ronaldo continued to make appearances in competitive matches, playing 62 minutes off the bench against Al-Shabab and the full 90 minutes against Monastir in the Arab Club Championship Cup. All these matches were played in quick succession, starting on July 25 against PSG.
Despite Ronaldo’s renowned fitness and longevity, four appearances in six days, along with the extensive travel from Japan, might raise concerns about potential early injury risks. Consequently, it wouldn’t be surprising if Ronaldo is rested for this match or introduced later in the second half to ensure his well-being and performance in the long run.