· 2 min readIn this Pakhtakor Tashkent vs Al Nassr match, I analyse the key tactical moments, individual performances and turning points of the game.
Al Nassr came into the fourth matchday of the AFC Elite with a duty to win, even without Cristiano Ronaldo, who was left out to rest. Their opponents were Pakhtakor Tashkent, a team of a lower standard in the Asian context, so a comfortable victory was expected. But there was a familiar concern: Al Nassr have the talent to dominate these games, although they don’t always convince and continue to concede too many goals.
Without Ronaldo, Al-Hamdan moved up front, Yahya took up the right wing and youngster Awad Aman started at left-back. It was a positive start and, in the 15th minute, Al Nassr took the lead. Awad Aman found Félix between the lines, the Portuguese midfielder played Al-Hamdan through and the striker finished between the centre-backs. The ball took a slight deflection off a defender, but still went in. Two minutes later, Félix capitalised on a defensive mistake, drove forward, left an opponent on the floor with an excellent piece of skill and finished with a rabona. A lovely goal to make it 0-2.
The game looked to be all but over, but Al Nassr once again showed their usual problems. In the 25th minute, Flamarion produced a superb individual run through the middle and found Mozgovoy, who finished just wide of the top corner. The goal was ruled out for a marginal offside, but it was a warning. In the 32nd minute, Félix scored again after another mistake in Pakhtakor’s build-up. The shot wasn’t particularly good and went straight at Nazarov, but the goalkeeper allowed it to go in. Two goals for Félix, who had now been directly involved in all three of his team’s goals.
Four minutes later, Pakhtakor pulled one back. Nasrulloev got past Al-Amri down the left and crossed for Flamarion, who was completely unmarked inside the box. The Brazilian finished with ease. An absolutely pathetic defensive sequence: Al-Amri had abandoned his position, Samu Costa had to drop back to cover for him and nobody filled the space that had been left open. Al Nassr were leading 1-3, but the first half had been far more balanced than it should have been. The two teams had practically the same amount of possession and Pakhtakor had actually managed to create danger quite easily.
At half-time, Yahya came off after picking up an injury and Ghareeb came on. In the 53rd minute, Félix delivered a corner and Al-Amri arrived unmarked to head home and make it 1-4. The Portuguese midfielder’s second assist, taking his tally to six in the last two games. In the 62nd minute, it was Ghareeb’s turn to score. Awad Aman sent Mané away on the counter-attack, the Senegalese winger crossed towards the far post and Ghareeb controlled the ball before finishing. It was one of those moves where, as soon as Mané received the ball, it seemed almost certain to end in a goal.
Pakhtakor still managed to test Bento, but wasted another unbelievable chance in the 73rd minute. After the goalkeeper made a save, Abdumazhidov had practically an open goal in front of him and shot over. Two minutes later, Khamdamov picked up a loose ball inside the box and beat Bento to make it 2-5. Al Nassr were still giving goals away.
The response came in the 79th minute: Al-Hamdan found space near the byline and crossed for Ângelo to tap in at the far post.
Post-match
The 2-6 scoreline confirms a comfortable victory, but doesn’t hide the problems. João Félix was extraordinary, with two goals and two assists, and the attack once again showed its individual quality. However, conceding twice and allowing so many chances against this opponent is worrying.
