Former Al-Nassr forward Talisca has expressed his thoughts on the recent defeat of the club, acknowledging that there is a deeper issue at play. The team suffered a setback as they fell nine points behind the Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Ittihad after their first-ever loss to Al-Orobah.
Despite having star players like Cristiano Ronaldo and new signing Jhon Duran in their attacking lineup, Al-Nassr faced their second loss in three league games. The winning goal was scored by ex-Burnley and Charlton midfielder Johann Gudmundsson, who played for the team that finished second in the second tier last season.
Talisca, who recently left Al-Nassr for Fenerbahce, commended Duran’s abilities and criticized the tendency to assign blame for defeats without addressing the real underlying issues. He emphasized the importance of recognizing and rectifying mistakes rather than shifting blame.
Regarding his own performance at Al-Nassr, Talisca scored eight goals in 15 appearances in the Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions League this season. Despite his impressive record of 75 goals in 97 games during his time at the club, he was left out of the matchday squads by coach Stefano Pioli before departing for the Turkish Super Lig.
Al-Nassr’s recent loss has raised questions about Pioli’s management, with the coach acknowledging the team’s good performance despite the defeat. He highlighted the paradox of playing well but still losing, attributing the loss to missed opportunities and the opponent’s efficient use of chances.
Looking ahead, Al-Nassr will face Iranian side Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League round of 16, aiming to bounce back from their recent setbacks.