Mon Mar 10 19:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr Face Tough Test Against Esteghlal in AFC Champions League Clash
**Riyadh, Saudi Arabia** – Al-Nassr, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, will face a stern test on Monday evening as they host Iranian side Esteghlal in the second leg of their AFC Champions League knockout tie. The first leg ended in a goalless draw, leaving the tie delicately poised.
Al-Nassr are struggling domestically, currently trailing the Saudi Pro League leaders by 10 points after a frustrating 2-2 draw against Al-Shabab on Friday. Despite scoring his 26th goal of the season, Ronaldo’s frustration was evident as Al-Nassr played the final 38 minutes with 10 men.
While the league title seems out of reach, Al-Nassr will be fully focused on the Champions League. However, their recent form, with only one win in their last six matches, raises concerns. Their record against Esteghlal this season is also underwhelming – just one goal scored in two matches, although they did manage to keep clean sheets in both.
Esteghlal, meanwhile, are looking to build on their progress after navigating the previous stage of the competition. While their domestic form is inconsistent (10th in the Persian Gulf League), their Champions League form is more encouraging – unbeaten in their last five matches. Their 2-2 draw away to Al-Ahli, a rival of Al-Nassr, demonstrates their ability to compete at a high level.
Al-Nassr manager Stefano Pioli is expected to make minimal changes to his starting XI, with Ronaldo likely to start despite being substituted in the Al-Shabab game. Esteghlal manager Miodrag Bozovic may also field a similar team to the first leg, with Joel Kojo potentially returning to the starting lineup.
While Esteghlal will be confident after their first-leg performance, many predict Al-Nassr’s attacking prowess, spearheaded by Ronaldo, will prove decisive, leading to a victory for the Saudi Arabian side. The match promises to be a closely fought encounter with high stakes for both teams.
First Piper 