Injury Strikes Al Nassr as Clasico Showdown with Al Ittihad Looms
19 October 2025
Injury setback ahead of the clásicos
Portuguese boss Jorge Jesus, who guides Al Nassr, has been dealt a heavy blow as the team gears up for crucial fixtures, including the King Salman Cup clásico against Al Ittihad. The clash is scheduled to be played at Al Nassr’s home ground as part of the cup’s knockout stage.
Sources report that Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic is likely to miss the derby after suffering an injury in Saturday’s Roshn Saudi Pro League clash with Al Fateh. He left the field after 18 minutes and was replaced by Abdullah Al-Kheibri.
Medical updates suggest Brozovic could be out for roughly one to two weeks, depending on his rehabilitation progress. With nine days left until the derby, his availability remains the key question for Jesus.
Midfield reshuffle and leadership in focus
Jesus will need to explore alternatives in the engine room and lean on available options to fill the void left by Brozovic, who has become a cornerstone of Nassr’s midfield with a blend of defensive and offensive duties.
Brozovic has been vital in building play from deep and distributing precise passes to flank and attacking lines, anchoring the link between the three midfielders. His ability to read the game early and initiate transitions has been instrumental in Nassr’s balance across the pitch.
Beyond his technical qualities, Brozovic’s leadership on the field has guided teammates and helped organize the side during ball retention and transitions. His presence has contributed to Nassr’s stability against top opponents.
His passing accuracy regularly exceeds 90% in many matches, and his incisive through balls have created numerous scoring chances. The Croatian’s absence will test Nassr’s depth and tactical flexibility as they prepare for a demanding schedule.
What lies ahead for Al Nassr
In addition to domestic commitments, Nassr are gearing up for an Asian Champions League 2 tie away to an Indian side on Wednesday, followed by a league trip to Al Hazm on Saturday. The team currently sits atop the Roshn Saudi Pro League with 15 points from five rounds, and the club is intent on preserving its perfect start while pursuing continental ambitions.
Reaction from former players and pundits has reinforced Nassr’s formidable status. Khaled Al-Attawi described the team as “terrifying,” highlighting their cohesive play in both transitions and attacking phases. Emad Al-Hosni echoed the sentiment, calling Nassr an European-like side renowned for organization and attacking depth, with Ronaldo, Joao Felix, Kingsley Coman and Sadio Mane contributing to a rich variety of goal-scoring threats.
With such backing, many observers believe Nassr are the favorites for the Saudi title and a strong challenger in Asia, especially under Jesus’s leadership. The derby against Al Ittihad remains the focal point, and fans will be watching closely to see whether the team can translate depth and discipline into decisive results.
Punchlines: If injuries paid rent, the bench would own the stadium. And if patience were a sport, this derby buildup would require extra time and a few extra goals to keep everyone smiling.
