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Some fans online are displeased with Anderson Talisca's inclusion in the starting XI with Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sadio Mane in Al-Nassr's attack by manager Stefano Pioli. The Knights of Najd will be looking to get their fifth league win this season as they travel to King Fahd Stadium to face Al-Shadab on Friday, October 18.
Al-Nassr have been unstoppable since the appointment of Stefano Pioli following the sacking of Luis Castro. The Italian tactician has won all five games he has managed across competitions. He will be looking to push his team to second place in the league table with a win against Al-Shadab.
However, fans were not impressed by the inclusion of Anderson Talisca in the starting lineup because of his string of underwhelming performances this season. The Brazilian has managed just three goals in 10 games across competitions. Additionally, he has been wasteful in front of goal, mustering just two shots on target per game in the Saudi Pro League this season.
Right after Al-Nassr's lineup was announced, fans took to X to criticize the inclusion of the Brazilian in the starting lineup. Some popular comments are as follows:
"Talisca wouldn't even play in Al-Shabab if we had a proper coach, and I say proper, cause Pioli is actually a good coach defensively at least. But because of this, I can't get him why he keeps playing Talisca when he doesn't defend or press," opined a fan.
"And keeps donkey Talisca who’s good for nothing," agreed another.
"Why is talisca still starting he has been beyond sh*t in last 100 games," wrote another fan on X.
Many fans questioned Pioli's decision to not play youngsters like Angelo or Wesley instead of Talisca.
"Talisca starting instead of Angelo," wrote a fan on X.
"Pioli has blood on his hands. Benched Angelo and Wesley for "Talisca"," declared another.
"Should have given chance to Angelo instead of Talisca," tweeted one user.
In Al-Nassr's last game against Al-Orobah, Talisca's performance was criticized despite the team winning 3-0. The Brazilian couldn't hit a single shot on target throughout the game and managed a passing accuracy of just 76%. Furthermore, he didn't contribute much defensively and was taken off in the 68th minute by Pioli.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been in red-hot form for Al-Nassr this season
Cristiano Ronaldo has been in scintillating form for Al-Nassr this season, continuing from where he left off last season. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored eight goals and laid out three assists in nine games across all competitions.
In the Saudi Pro League this season, he has scored in every game except the one against Al-Ahli. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in his last four competitive outings for Al-Nassr, including a goal and an assist in their previous game against Al-Orobah on October 5.
Cristiano Ronaldo has also scored a goal in the AFC Champions League Elite and has struck twice in the Saudi Super Cup. Stefano Pioli will hope that the talismanic Portuguese finds the net again against Al-Shabab to reduce the gap between his club and league leaders Al-Hilal. They are third in the table, seven points behind the Blue Waves.
