Lahore (Sports Desk): Following Al Nassr’s 4-0 defeat to Al Ain in the opening match of the AFC Champions League Elite, a heated exchange took place between coach Ange Postecoglou and a journalist over a question regarding Cristiano Ronaldo. The journalist asked whether Ronaldo’s presence in the team was actually proving beneficial for Al Nassr. The reporter argued that Al Nassr had performed better and achieved more success without the Portuguese star. Coach Ange Postecoglou disagreed with the view and defended Ronaldo. He said all the players in the team were working hard and that key players, including Ronaldo, were playing their roles. Criticizing Ronaldo’s recent performances, the journalist said the Portuguese player had done nothing in the previous three matches, to which the coach replied by asking how many goals Ronaldo had scored if that were the case. Ronaldo had scored two goals in Al Nassr’s first three matches of the season, but managed only one goal in the following four games. Against Al Ain, Al Nassr registered only three shots on target, while Ronaldo touched the ball 29 times.
