Al-Ain and Al-Nassr Lineup Preview for AFC Champions League Quarter-Final Match

Al-Ain is gearing up to face Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia in the second leg of the AFC Champions League quarter-finals, with fans eagerly awaiting the Emirati team’s lineup for the match. Having secured a 1-0 victory in the first leg, Al-Ain enjoys a psychological advantage heading into the return match.

The UAE team is anticipated to take a defensive approach at Al Awal Park Stadium in Riyadh, with a lineup that may feature Khaled Issa in goal, a defensive line comprising Bandar Al-Ahbabi, Khaled Al-Hashemi, Kwame Otton, and Eric Jorgens, and key players like Park Young Woo, Muhammad Abbas, Nader Yahya, Mathias, and Ahmed Barman in midfield, alongside Sufyan Rahimi leading the attack.

Having topped their group with 15 points, Al Ain showcased their strong form by scoring 22 goals while conceding 10 during the tournament. In the round of 16, they overcame Nasaf of Uzbekistan with a 2-1 aggregate victory.

Meanwhile, Al-Nassr’s coach, Luis Castro, is expected to field Raghed Al-Najjar in goal, a defensive lineup of Nawaf Al-Bushal, Abdul-Ilah Al-Omari, Ali Lagami, and Alex Telles, a midfield trio of Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Marcelo Brozovic, and Ayman Yahya, and an attacking trio comprising Otavio, Sadio Mane, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

As preparations intensify for the crucial encounter, Castro is focused on addressing the absence of full-back Sultan Al-Ghanem due to injury. In a bid to find a suitable replacement, he has experimented with Ali Lagami, Mohamed Al-Fateel, Abdel-Ilah Al-Omari, and even Senegalese striker Sadio Mane in the right-back position.

With Al-Nassr needing a two-goal victory to progress following their 1-0 loss in the first leg, Castro’s tactical decisions, including potentially deploying Mane in defense, will be closely watched. The Portuguese coach is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to secure a spot in the semi-finals, and fans are eagerly anticipating an intense showdown between these two formidable teams.

The stage is set for a thrilling clash between Al-Ain and Al-Nassr, with both teams seeking to advance in the prestigious AFC Champions League.

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Meghnad Iyer

Meghnad Iyer, our Indian football enthusiast, is the voice behind the vibrant narratives covering the Indian Super League (ISL). Born and raised in the football-crazed nation of India, Meghnad's articles are a celebration of the excitement and fervor that define Indian football.