The Saudi Pro League championship comes to the most crucial stage on Monday in the form of a Riyadh derby between Al Nassr and Al Hilal and with the tune of the season shifting undisputably in the lead-up to the biggest of matches, it is an event that cannot be missed.
Al Nassr head into the battle following an abrupt decline in performance. After being a dominant team, the club is currently losing three matches consecutively and has lost its leading position to Al Hilal. Their most recent loss was against Al Qadsiah that ended in a 2-1 home loss with Julian Quinones and Nahitan Nandez scoring the only goals and the latter penalty being a mere consolation to Cristiano Ronaldo.
Even as the club is in a decline, new contract signing Kingsley Coman has urged the club to stay united and believe. The French winger, who has come in to join Bayern Munich in summer, is still sure that Al Nassr can do it when the time is the most important. He emphasized that the fact that the team achieved a few bad results should not be used to underestimate the quality and the ambition of this team.
Al Nassr had begun the campaign in traditional style, being the first club in the history of Saudi Pro League to win their initial 10 matches. Nonetheless, the series of losses such as a dramatic defeat 3-2 against Al Ahli, enabled Al Hilal to jump in front, gaining four points after beating up Damac and Al Hazem.
Al Nassr has been facing injuries and absence problems. Defender Mohamed Simakan is yet to resume after a thigh injury, and Sadio Mane is also out of duty serving at Africa Cup of Nations. The two will be out of the derby on Monday, which puts additional pressure on Ronaldo and the rest of the senior players.
The derby according to Coman is the best place to revive. In 34 games of the season he thinks that the title race is very open, still, he admits that it is necessary to win against one of the direct rivals. To Al Nassr, Monday night is not just three points but an opportunity to get back their faith and prove they are champions.
