As the melee of players from both Al Nassr and Al Shabab stood jostling with each other around the penalty spot, Cristiano Ronaldo stood alone at the edge of the area.
Like the world-class professional he is, Ronaldo removed himself from what was unfolding deep into injury-time, gathered his thoughts and focused fully on the matter at hand.
It may have taken a full three minutes from the award of the penalty when Abdulrahman Ghareeb was fouled until Ronaldo was finally able to open his body and tuck home the winner. But, such is the Al Nassr captain’s reputation and resume, that everyone knew he that was going to withstand the drama at the Al Shabab Stadium on Friday night – especially his manager Stefano Pioli.
⚽ @Cristiano Ronaldo came up CLUTCH with this 97th-minute penalty winner 🐐#RoshnSaudiLeague #SHANAS pic.twitter.com/KhKHxO8Tel
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) October 18, 2024
“Cristiano is Cristiano. When I saw him go forward to the penalty spot, I was sure that he would score,” the Italian said. “Sometimes errors happen, of course, but I had full confidence in him.”
Ronaldo’s strike to earn the 2-1 victory at Al Shabab in the Roshn Saudi LeagueMatchweek 7 encounter kept Pioli’s 100 percent winning record across all competitions since joining Al Nassr in mid-September. Ronaldo’s penalty – his sixth goal from seven RSL matches this season, and nine from 10 in all competitions – was also an early birthday present for his new manager, with Pioli celebrating his 58th birthday on Sunday.
But more importantly, it was also a vital win ahead of a busy period of matches for Al Nassr. On Tuesday night in Dubai, Pioli’s side play Iranian outfit Esteghal in the AFC Champions Elite, then travel to take on Al Kholood in the RSL three days later.
On October 29, they host Al Taawoun in the King’s Cup last 16. And then it’sthe big one: the first Riyadh Derby of the season against RSL champions, and current league leaders, Al Hilal takes place at Al Awwal Park on Friday, November 1. It forms part of the competition’s inaugural Derby Week.
The four-point gap between Al Nassr in third and Al Hilal, perfectly placed after seven matches in first, is far from insurmountable. Especially if Al Nassr can get bodies back from the treatment room to bolster their squad.
“We do have multiple injuries, but for me we know we have a lot of games coming in quick succession ahead of us, and we have to deal with it, we have to find solutions, and we are working on that,” Pioli said.
Looking to the next upcoming challenge, Tuesday’s Asian encounter against Esteghal, he added: “We will do everything possible to guarantee a win. We know who we are up against; we will analyse them well to maintain our winning streak, even in international tournaments.”
The nature of the victory against Al Shabab – the hosts missed a late, late penalty to earn a point – gives Pioli even greater confidence that his team can continue their winning ways.
“We had some difficulties with players between the lines, but I have full belief in all my players and I’m sure they are able to maintain this level of performance,” the Serie A winner with Juventus as a player and AC Milan as a manager said.
“This is the reality. We know we have a lot of games coming up after one another, but I have full faith in my team’s ability. The only thing that concerned me was how they would perform after coming back from international duty. But, as we saw, the players were able to overcome any obstacles they face.”
