Cristiano Ronaldo’s chase for silverware in Saudi Arabia reaches the knockout stages as his Al-Nassr side faces Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca in the quarterfinal of the Arab Club Champions Cup trophy.
Here’s the match preview, buildup, team news, and more as Cristiano Ronaldo tries to power his side to the Arab Club Champions Cup trophy!
Al Nassr vs Raja Casablanca preview
Ronaldo’s side come into the quarterfinal after barely making it through the group stages. They won one and drew two games to finish just a point ahead of Zamalek in third to quality for the next stage.
Their most convincing performance came against Monastir, who they beat 4-1. Ronaldo scored in that one, becoming the player with most headed goals in football history.
He rescued the team against Zamalek as well. With the team needing to avoid defeat to progress, the Portuguese scored an equaliser in the 87th minute to send his side through.
Raja Casablanca, on the other hand, have put their domestic woes aside to take their best foot forward in this tournament.
They won all three games in the group stage to qualify as group winners ahead of Saudi Pro League side Al Wahda.
They are sure to provide a stern test to an Al Nassr team still finding their best lineup amid so much strengthening. This brings us to the next bit…
Al Nassr vs Raja Casablanca predicted lineup
Al Nassr team news
Sadio Mane came off the bench against Zamalek and is expected to start alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in attack in a scary prospect for defenders.
Seko Fofana and Marcelo Brozovic is a great midfield pairing that will only get better the more they play with each other.
Talisca is ever-present in the No 10 slot while the defence has been strengthened with the arrival of Alex Telles.
Predicted Al Nassr XI: Alaqidi, Al Ghanam, Alawjami, Madu, Telles, Brozovic, Fofana, Mane, Talisca, Ghareeb, Ronaldo
Raja Casablanca team news
The Moroccan side does not have the marquee names of their opposition, but they will be relying on tactical familiarity and teamwork to cause an upset.
Their last game was a convincing 1-0 win against Al Wahda, the strongest team in their group. Therefore, not many changes are expected from the lineup that got the job done against the Saudi side.
Predicted Raja Casablanca XI: Fakhr, Chaboud, Lamchkhchakh, Mokadem, Labib, Camara, El Wardi, Boulacsout, El Forsy, Al Achbili, Meye
Al Nassr vs Raja Casablanca prediction
It’s a game between a team and a squad of players. Al Nassr are undoubtedly the stronger team on paper by a good margin, but Casablanca have momentum, as well as tactical cohesiveness.
Still, the player quality should trump this time, especially with Sadio Mane set to make his start for Al-Nassr in a revamped attack.
Expect Ronaldo to make his mark again as his team continues their march towards the first silverware in the Cristiano Ronaldo era at Al-Nassr.
FootTheBall predicts Al Nassr 3-1 Raja Casablanca.