Al Nassr's struggles without Cristiano Ronaldo continued as they were held to a goalless draw by Esteghlal in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Elite tie. Jhon Duran, who had a bright start to life in Saudi Arabia, missed several chances and was sent off in his fourth match for the club.
Jhon Duran 's struggles continued as Al Nassr drew 0-0 with Esteghlal in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Elite second round tie. Duran, who had a bright start to life in the Saudi Pro League , was sent off in his fourth match for the club, coinciding with a drop in form. This draw extends Al Nassr 's poor run without Cristiano Ronaldo , who is set to return from injury for the return leg.
Since Ronaldo's absence, Al Nassr have only managed one win, a 2-1 victory over second-division side Al Hazem. They have drawn four times, including two goalless draws. Duran missed several good chances against Esteghlal, including a one-on-one opportunity, a shot cleared off the line, and a strike that hit the post. His recent downturn in performance has drawn criticism from fans, with former Al Nassr star Anderson Talisca defending Duran on social media. Talisca criticized the blame placed on Duran, suggesting that the issue lies elsewhere. Al Nassr coach Stefano Pioli expressed satisfaction with the players' performance, emphasizing the importance of the return leg. Ronaldo is expected to be available for the return leg in Riyadh on March 11, where Al Nassr will aim to secure a quarter-final berth. Before that, Ronaldo will be needed for the clash against Al Shabab in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.
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