Al-Nassr's Portuguese coach, Luis Castro, expressed his immense joy after his team climbed to the top of the Saudi Professional League standings following a resounding and well-deserved 4-0 victory over Al-Hazm. This crucial win, achieved on Saturday evening in the 23rd round of matches, known as the "Foundation Day Round," puts Al-Nassr in first place, one point ahead of their arch-rivals, Al-Hilal.
In his post-match comments, Castro emphasized that reaching the top of the table was a significant step in the team's journey this season, but he cautioned against excessive celebration. He said, "Being at the top of the league table is extremely important, but we must continue to work hard and remain focused. There's still a long way to go, and Al-Hilal is a very strong competitor, as are the other clubs vying for top positions.".
The context of the fierce competition in the Roshan League
Al-Nassr's rise to the top of the standings comes at a time when the Saudi League is experiencing unprecedented media and fan interest, both locally and internationally. Following the arrival of global football legends, most notably Al-Nassr's captain Cristiano Ronaldo, attention has shifted dramatically to this competition, which has become one of the most-watched leagues. This climb in the standings not only strengthens Al-Nassr's chances of winning the title, which has eluded them in recent seasons, but also intensifies the historic rivalry between Riyadh's two giants, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal, promising an exciting and highly competitive end to the season.
A promise to the fans and an affirmation of defensive solidity
Castro didn't forget to address Al-Nassr's fans, explaining that the team had been far from being a serious title contender in recent seasons, but he vowed that the current squad would fight fiercely until the very end to win the championship and bring them joy. The coach also expressed his regret over the low fan attendance at some matches, urging them to provide greater support in the upcoming crucial stages, adding, "We always have faith in our fans.".
Regarding the noticeable improvement in the team's defensive performance, Castro pointed out that his methodology hadn't changed, but the players' team spirit and tactical commitment had increased significantly. He explained: "The team now defends as a unit with as many players as possible, and the proof of that is our success in keeping a clean sheet in recent matches.".
With this victory, Al-Nasr raised its tally to 55 points, surpassing Al-Hilal, which dropped to second place with 54 points after its draw with Al-Ittihad in the same round, thus opening the door wide to a fierce battle for the title in the coming weeks.
