Al-Nassr head coach Ange Postecoglou leaped to the defence of Cristiano Ronaldo in an extremely heated alternate with a reporter following a humiliating 4-0 defeat by Al-Ain.
Postecoglou’s facet have been nicely and really humbled of their AFC Champions League Elite opener within the UAE, with the end result crashing the Saudi Professional League champions again right down to earth after a flying begin to the marketing campaign.
Ronaldo, who has netted three targets in six video games, struggled to have an effect within the sport and got here underneath intense scrutiny within the post-match press convention.
One reporter questioned Postecoglou on whether or not Ronaldo’s presence within the Al-Nassr beginning line-up is a hindrance, claiming that whereas he isn’t fairly a ‘burden’, the legendary striker does ‘not profit the group’.
‘Cristiano has scored three targets already; he had a restricted preparation,’ Postecoglou responded. ‘This isn’t concerning the gamers; the gamers are giving all the things and so they’re high gamers and so they’ve acquired nice character.
‘The duty is mine however you should not say that about someone who continues to be setting an instance for everybody.
Cristiano Ronaldo struggled as Al Nassr misplaced 4-0 to Al-Ain within the AFC Champions League
‘You have to be cautious if you say issues like that about individuals who have constructed a profession on making all of the sacrifices to maintain taking part in. You may criticise me, no drawback.’
The alternate didn’t finish there, with the reporter persevering with to bash Ronaldo for doing ‘nothing’, to which Postecoglou replied: ‘He is performed nothing? You are watching a distinct sport to me.’
Postecoglou initially had a vivid begin as Al-Nassr head coach, successful his first 5 video games in cost.
Nevertheless, only one win within the final 4 video games has seen strain begin to mount on the 61-year-old and his gamers.
The Australian coach made positive to take accountability for the current dip in kind, however not with out hitting out on the reporter beforehand after criticism of the group’s preparation.
Postecoglou added: ‘You say we did not put together nicely, however you have been there. You are not saying the reality, be trustworthy.
‘You have been proper, it was my duty. Possibly I have never performed my job nicely and that is advantageous however please do not discuss preparation.’
