Sadio Mane came to Al-Nassr’s rescue for the second time this week as the Pro League title challengers edged out Al-Ittihad despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence.
Ronaldo remained on strike as his protest against the management of the club – and what he perceives as the preferential treatment offered to rivals Al-Hilal – continued into a second game.
The Portugal striker’s name was conspicuous by its absence when the team sheets were revealed and the saga is set to continue until peace talks find a resolution.
In the meantime, Mane continues to prop up Jorge Jesus’ side.
Having netted the winner against Al-Riyadh on Monday, the Senegal star proved the decisive figure here as well, scoring from the penalty spot with six minutes to go. Angelo netted a breakaway second in injury-time to move Al-Nassr back within a point of leaders Al-Hilal.
Fans hold up Ronaldo banner to show their support
Ronaldo may not be feeling the love from Al-Nassr chiefs – and, in particular, majority owners the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund – but the Riyadh crowd showed their support with banners and cards in the seventh minute that displayed the player’s name and number.
The 41-year-old’s absence was certainly having an impact on the field with Al-Ittihad, playing without Karim Benzema, whose move to Al-Hilal proved the final straw for Ronaldo, making much of the early running.
The visitors thought they had a penalty in the 10th minute when Mohamed Simakan appeared to handle in the area but referee Slavko Vincic ruled in Al-Nassr’s favour.
Another Al-Ittihad penalty shout was waved away shortly after before the home side finally strung a few passes together, Joao Felix and Mane combining nicely before defender Hassan Kadish did well to get the block in.
Houssem Aouar came close with a header for Al-Ittihad while home goalkeeper Bento had to be alert to parry clear a shot from Moussa Diaby.
Predrag Rajkovic also excelled in the Al-Ittihad goal before half-time with an acrobatic save to keep out a deflected effort from Marcelo Brozovic.
Rajkovic denied Felix after 50 minutes and only some great defending from Mario Mitaj prevented Kingsley Coman from converting Mane’s cross.
The opening goal finally came late on when Vincic adjudged Mohammed Barnawi had handled substitute Aiman Yahya’s shot and Mane made no mistake from the spot.
Al-Ittihad committed men forward in search of an equaliser but were caught out in the sixth minute of injury time when a swift counter attack was finished by Angelo.
