Bench Boss in Spotlight: Jorge Jesus Keeps Bento Matheus on the Bench Ahead of Al Nassr's Gulf Showdown

Excluding a Nasr Star

Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus has again left Brazil’s Bento Matheus out of Al Nassr’s squad for the upcoming match with Al Khaleej, opting to rely on Nawaf Al-Aqidi in goal.

The team faces Al Khaleej in the ninth round of the Saudi Pro League, a fixture that could widen the gap at the top if Nasr performs as planned.

Excluding Nasr’s Keeper

According to the Saudi newspaper Ashar Al-Awsat, Jesus decided not to include the Brazilian keeper Bento in the matchday squad, sticking with the trusted Nawaf Al-Aqidi between the posts.

Jesus also confirmed a continued shape with the Brazilian Angelo in the holding role, a choice that has earned him trust in recent games and strengthened his place in the starting XI.

With that decision, Jesus kept Bento on the outer ring and leaned into a more aggressive, ball-playing setup that has served the team well this season.

Squad Dynamics and the Gulf Clash

In another development, Jesus included the trio of Kingsley Koman, Martinez, and Ayman Yahya in the matchday squad after medical clearance, while Saad Al-Nasser, Sami Al-Nughi, and Abdul Malik Al-Jaber were ruled not ready.

Al Nassr currently lead the table with 24 points, while Al Khaleej sit sixth with 14, underscoring the pressure to secure a victory at home.

Looking Ahead

Bento appears on the brink of leaving the capital club in January, with reports linking him to Milan and Inter as part of ongoing transfer chatter around the league.

Bento joined Al Nassr in the summer of 2024 from Atletico Paranaense for around 18 million euros, playing 49 games last season and conceding 54 goals overall, though he kept a clean sheet in 15 matches, including 10 in the Saudi Pro League and 4 in the AFC Champions League, plus one in the Saudi Super Cup.

Super Cup Blunder and the Goalkeeper Debate

Since the Super Cup error, Jesus has relied primarily on Nawaf Al-Aqidi, excluding Bento from league duties. The pattern has continued, with Bento appearing in only six matches this season across various competitions, while Nawaf has shone in five league appearances, keeping two clean sheets and contributing to a league-winning start.

Notably, Nawaf even assisted a goal for Kingsley Koman in a 5-0 victory over Al Taawoun in the season’s opener, illustrating the value of a reliable back line and a confident understudy in goal.

Projected XI for Al Nassr

Jesus has settled on a starting lineup intended to sustain Al Nassr’s run at the summit. The lineup includes Nawaf Al-Aqidi in goal; defense of Sultan Al-Ghannam, Mohammed Semakani, Iniago Martinez, and Nawaf Boshl; midfield featuring Marcelo Brozovic, Angelo, and Kingsley Koman; and a potent attack trio of Sadio Mane, Joao Felix, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Jesus’s Warnings and Tactics

Jesus has warned his players to respect Gulf’s capabilities, particularly under Greek coach Giorgos Donis and star Kostas Fortounis. He said the team must stay vigilant, study strengths and weaknesses, and adapt the game plan to ensure victory, stressing that the squad’s chemistry needs a reset after a 15-day regrouping window.

“The Gulf is a respectable team, currently sixth, with Fortounis providing assists. It will be a tough test, and our players must be cautious and ready to implement our ideas,” Jesus stated. “We are preparing according to our capacity and the opponents’ weaknesses, and we’ll seek the right balance to win, especially since several players have only just rejoined the group.”

He added: “We’ll rely on our shape and the opponent’s vulnerabilities, and we’ll try to find the right balance. The squad had a 15-day period apart; today is the second day the group is fully together.”

He concluded: “The risk is losing rhythm, but that’s the price for big clubs.”