Al Nassr vs Al Ahli Doha: Where to Watch, Starting Lineups, Recent Performances

Heading into the second semi-final of this year’s AFC Champions League Two tournament, two sides that have had very opposite seasons will face-off in a high-stakes contest. Given that Al Nassr continues to dominate 1st in the Saudi League, their opponents, Al Ahli, could use this match as a quest to gain confidence and improve on a struggling 9th position in the Qatar League. This match will start on April 22nd at 9:30 P.M. IST in Zabeel Stadium of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 

Ronaldo’s Al Nassr eyes first ever AFC title

Looking at Al Nassr before heading into this match, they have clearly been one of the best all-around sides in Asian football this year, and are striving to win their first-ever Asian Champions League.

With world-class legend Cristiano Ronaldo at the helm, this is more than possible, as his 24 goals have been a focal point of their attack. Someone who has completely changed the culture of a side that once used to always be dominated by Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, him and Joao Felix make for a very scary Portuguese duo that very few can handle.

Seeing Felix himself has shown immense improvement and scored 16 goals with 11 assists, their third forward on the offensive side and one of the best Al Nassr signing, Sadio Mane, will make their scoring threat that much more dangerous. 

Having this three-man pattern up-front, which will make it hard for defenders to double team since everyone has great on-ball techniques, the middle includes one of the most premier midfielders in Asian Club Football today, named Kingsley Coman.

Knowing that he’s one of the top-notch passers with 10 assists and over 50 progression passes, Coman really knows how to start an attack, while placing the strikers in great position to finish. Adding 8 goals himself, his speed has always been unquestioned.

As Angelo, 4 goals with 6 assists, will start alongside him, their biggest defensive-minded midfielder is Mario Brozovic, who has won 25 tackles in Saudi Premier League action this year and seems to be very aggressive when sliding in.

At the back-line, Nawaf Boushal, 29 interceptions with 37 tackles won, and Inigo Martinez, have consistently proved that they can avoid attackers from crossing their line and keep goalie Bento as one of the top around the world. 

Al Ahli Doha expecting miracle as their season hasn’t gone

Meanwhile, Al Ahli Doha are heading into this match hoping for a miracle as their season hasn’t gone the way many expected. Seeing that they could potentially not qualify for next year’s Asian Champions League, it has become must-win territory for them so they can automatically qualify if they win the whole thing.

Forward Erik Exposito, 2 goals with 2 assists in 8 matches, has kind of struggled settling his footing into this new squad after transferring from Slask Wroclaw, and will hope to finally break through.

As someone who seems a bit off rhythm with his shots at times, he will get a lot of support from Sekou Yasane whose scored 6 times so far in Qatar’s season. Knowing he has two massive goals in the Champions League as well, it will be important to see if Julian Draxler can still be that elite-level passer.

Someone who has 4 assists in 6 matches during Champions League action from the midfield, he continues helping the pieces up-top get better by putting them in the right positions, while Michael Vlap has been a top scorer.

Finishing 6 times in this tournament so far, he will be a key they go to around the box areas, as his ability to score from 30 yards to close to the net makes Vlap one of the most versatile scorers. As Ibrahima Diallo remains a primary defender for this group, he will help Robin Tihi and William Troost-Ekong make Marwan Badreldin’s day in net much easier. 

Starting XI

Bento(GK), Nawaf Boushal(D), Inigo Martinez(D), Abduleah Al-Amari(D), Mohamed Simakan(D), Kingsley Coman(MD), Mario Brozovic(MD), Angelo(MD), Cristiano Ronaldo(FW), Joao Felix(FW), Sadio Mane(FW)

Marwan Badreldin(GK), Robin Tihi(D), William Troost-Ekong(D), Ayoub Amaroui(D), Amidou Doumbouya(D), Ibrahima Diallo(MD), Driss Fettouhi(MD), Michael Vlap(MD), Julian Draxler(MD), Sekou Yasane(FW), Erik Exposito(FW) 

Where to Watch Ronaldo’s appearance against Al Ahli Doha

The Al Nassr vs Al Ahli Doha game will be streamed on DAZN network worldwide.

Seeing that Al Nassr have continued this very streak going by winning their last 5 matches in all competitions, they will be playing with extra motivation in this match.

Despite Al Ahli proving to have that underdog spirit, an attack of Joao Felix, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sadio Mane will potentially end their amazing run, putting Al-Nassr into the finals with the projected score of 3-1 in Al Nassr’s favor.