LONDON: Al-Nassr are ready to challenge for the Saudi Pro League title after a busy summer in the transfer market and elsewhere. That is the message from the Riyadh club who have their sights set on reclaiming the title they last won in 2015.
The side finished third last season but under the energetic leadership of new president Saud Al-Suwailem, the eight time champions ended the transfer window on Monday by confirming the signing of former
Brazilian international Giuliano from
Fenerbahce for a fee of €10 million ($11.5 million).
It is the second biggest deal that Al-Nassr have done since the end of last season after the Ahmed Musa transfer, the Nigerian international arriving in early August from Leicester City Premier League. And having seen the 28-year-old attacking midfielder score 14 goals in the Turkish league last season, the club feel Giuliano is a great addition to their expanding squad.
Not only that, the club has brought in former Liverpool and Feyenoord goalkeeper Brad Jones, former Watford star and Morocco international Nordin Amrabat, Peru international defender Christian Ramos and also welcome back Saudi star Yahya Al-Shehri from his loan in Spain.
“We are very happy with the squad going into the new season,” an Al-Nassr official told Arab News.
“It was already a good one but we have strengthened in every area and especially have added some very exciting attacking players. If the coach can get the new signings to settle quickly then we could have a good season.”
There is no automatic demand for the title but an improvement on last season when Al-Nassr finished 12 points behind champions and Riyadh rivals Al-Hilal is required.
“We know that it won’t be easy as the top teams all look to be stronger after spending on some good talent from overseas,” added the official.
“We want to be challenging for the title, that is where we should be. It helps that we also have a coach that has done it before.”
For Al-Nassr, the return of Jose Daniel Carreno could be a game-changer. The Uruguayan tactician had a successful spell with the club and lifted the 2013 league title and the Crown Prince Cup in the same year. He returned to the club in March and his knowledge of Al-Nassr and the league is seen as vital.
“I think the changes to the team have been of great benefit,” Carreno said after last week’s 2-1 win at UAE side Al-Jazira in the Arab Champions Cup. “We have more firepower going forward and we will look to be aggressive and put teams on the backfoot, and press higher up the pitch than before.
“There is still work to do but we are moving to where we want to be. The league is going to be tough this time with Al-Hilal looking strong and signing players, and Al-Ittihad will not have the kind of season they had last time but we are looking forward to the challenge.”
There have been developments off the pitch too. President Al-Suwailem was appointed in April and has been working hard to improve standards at the club and increase revenues.
Earlier this month, the president went to the UAE to sign a four year sponsorship deal with Etihad Airlines that is reportedly worth SR50 million ($13.34 million) a year.
“There is more energy at all levels of the club,” said the official.
“Of course, it depends on what happens when the season starts but we can’t wait for the season to start.”
Al-Nassr ready to challenge for title after signing Brazilian Giuliano
Al-Nassr ready to challenge for title after signing Brazilian Giuliano
- Riyadh club have not won the title since 2015 and have set their stall out to win it for the ninth time.
- Brazilian Giuliano is the latest star to sign for Al-Nassr, joining Nigeria international Ahmed Musa.
Toney penalty leads Al-Ahli to victory in final moments of Saudi Pro League’s Matchday 15
- Al-Ahli defeat Al-Taawoun 2-1 thanks to Ivan Toney penalty in the 14th minute of injury time
- Al-Shabab end 11-game run without a win after comeback against NEOM
RIYADH: The battle for second place in the Saudi Pro League heated up on the final day of Matchday 15 when the Al-Inma Stadium played host to a tense encounter between Al-Ahli and Al-Taawoun. The hosts, boasting the best defence in the league, came up against a visiting side brimming with confidence after a stellar start to the season under the returning Péricles Chamusca at the helm.
Getting past Al-Taawoun would be no easy feat. The Qassim-based side came into the game well-prepared, with Al-Ahli failing to break past their compact block. The trio of Andrei Girotto, Waleed Al-Ahmed and Muteb Al-Mufarrij proved tough opposition for Ivan Toney in particular.
All signs pointed to a draw as the half-time whistle approached. Roger Martínez had different ideas in stoppage time, as he fended off Roger Ibañez to win the ball in the right channel, squared the ball to Ângelo Fulgini who was brought down by Merih Demiral for a penalty. Martínez coolly finished past Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi, as the Wolves went into the break with the narrow lead.
Al-Ahli, backed by their passionate fans, entered the second half with renewed vigour. With Riyad Mahrez back in SPL action after Algeria’s elimination from AFCON, his creative prowess between the lines gave his side an added impetus.
It would be Wenderson Galeno who played an imperative role in their first goal. In the 62nd minute, he spotted Toney making a run in space behind the full-back, launching a cross that marginally escaped a clearance from Al-Mufarrij, as the Englishman delivered an accurate follow-up to Zakaria Hawsawi to head in the equaliser.
Both sides knew that a draw was not enough. Al-Taawoun would still move into second place with a point, albeit with all of Al-Nassr, Al-Qadsiah and Al-Ahli breathing down their necks.
Al-Ahli, meanwhile, needed a win after Al-Qadsiah’s dominant display earlier in the evening. Despite numerous attempts, the score remained even.
In the 82nd minute, a dangerous challenge on Martínez by Ibañez saw the defender sent off for the second time in three games. After getting a yellow card earlier in the half, the referee showed no hesitation in giving him his marching orders.
Drama ensued in the final moments of the game when Demiral was brought down in the Al-Taawoun box. After a tense wait for the VAR review, referee Mohammed Hoish ultimately decided on a penalty in the 11th minute of stoppage time to the delight of the home fans.
Toney, as per usual, converted with confidence as Al-Ahli saw out a 2-1 victory to move level on points with Al-Taawoun and Al-Nassr in second place.
Elsewhere, Al-Qadsiah produced a perfect performance in their home game against Al-Fayha, winning 5-0, with Julián Quiñones bagging a hat-trick. Brendan Rodgers’ side now sit in fifth place with 30 points, just one behind the trio of Al-Taawoun, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli.
Meanwhile Al-Shabab, enduring one of their worst starts in the top flight to date, managed to win their first game since Matchday 2. Despite going 2-1 down to NEOM, a four-minute brace by Yannick Carrasco propelled them to a 3-2 victory.
Matchday 16 kicks off on Friday, as Al-Ittihad face Al-Ettifaq that evening, Al-Nassr welcome Al-Shabab on Saturday and Al-Hilal travel to NEOM on Sunday for the round’s headlining fixtures.
