Al-Nassr claimed three points against Abha with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday in the Saudi Pro League's sixth round, yet the performance drew fierce criticism from club legend Fahad Al-Hariri. Despite the winning result keeping their campaign on track, the manner of the display left serious questions about the team's intensity and tactical approach under current management.
Al-Hariri's Damning Assessment
Speaking on the "Doreena Gheir" programme, Al-Hariri expressed deep concerns about the absence of the ferocity that characterized Al-Nassr under former coach Jorge Jesus. He pointed to what he described as chaos, recklessness, and negligence from certain players, particularly against an opponent that should pose minimal threat given the significant quality gap between the sides. The former Al-Nassr figure refused to overlook the win as a sign of progress, instead treating it as a warning signal of deeper structural problems.
The tactical setup drew specific scrutiny from Al-Hariri, who questioned the decision to deploy a 4-4-2 formation against Abha's compact defensive structure. He highlighted that attacking midfielder Angelo, a player of skill and movement, was not afforded sufficient freedom to exploit his strengths and break down the opposition's defensive organization. This misalignment between personnel and system, he argued, directly contributed to Al-Nassr's inability to control the match convincingly.
Defensive Vulnerabilities Exposed
Most alarming for the club legend was Al-Nassr's defensive fragility. The fact that Abha, a side without comparable quality, manufactured multiple clear-cut chances represented a damning indictment of the team's concentration and shape. Goalkeeper Bento Matheus also faced criticism for the goal he conceded, though Al-Hariri's broader point centered on systemic issues rather than individual errors. In Saudi Pro League history, Al-Nassr's defensive standards have typically been among the league's strongest, making this performance a notable regression.
Al-Hariri rejected any suggestion that last season's league title should serve as mitigation for current shortcomings. The absence of spirit and passion among the squad, he insisted, poses an acute threat as the fixture list intensifies against stronger opponents in the coming weeks. Al-Nassr must implement rapid tactical and personnel adjustments to recapture the intensity that defined their championship campaign, or risk costly slips against sides capable of punishing such lapses in concentration and commitment.
