Saudi Gazette report

KUALA LUMPUR — The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced a venue change for the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 League Stage (West) match between Esteghlal FC of Iran and Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr Club.

Originally set to take place at Shahr-e-Qods Stadium in Qods, Iran, on October 22, 2024, the match will now be played at Rashid Stadium in the United Arab Emirates on the same date.

Al Nassr will head into the clash with momentum, having recently secured a 2-1 victory over Al Rayyan SC in their previous AFC Champions League Elite match.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues to be a pivotal figure for the Riyadh-based side, scored the decisive goal in the 76th minute with a stunning curling effort. The match, played at King Saud University Stadium, saw Al Rayyan net a late consolation, but Ronaldo’s strike ensured Al Nassr maintained their strong form in the tournament.

This victory also marked head coach Stefano Pioli’s first continental win with Al Nassr, following his appointment just over two weeks ago. Under Pioli's leadership, Al Nassr has recorded four consecutive wins, demonstrating the team's growing strength and adaptability.

As Al Nassr prepares for the crucial fixture against Esteghlal, Pioli emphasized the need to focus on continuous improvement, praising his team's determination while recognizing areas for further development.