Sadio Mané Misses Golden Chance as Al Nassr Settle for Goalless Draw in ACL Thriller
Senegalese star Sadio Mane squandered golden opportunity in Al Nassr’s goalless draw against Esteghlal Tehran on Monday in the 1st leg of the AFC Champions League Round of 16.
With open goal at his mercy after collision between the Iranian side’s goalkeeper and defender, Mane’s shot somehow drifted wide leaving Al Nassr fans in disbelief.
The Saudi side was without captain Cristiano Ronaldo who missed the clash due to injury, along with spanish defender Aymeric Laporte.
Head coach Stefano Pioli relied on Colombian forward Jhon Duran, alongside Mane, Brazilian winger Angelo and playmaker Ayman Yahya to lead the attack.
Al Nassr secured their place in the knockout stage by finishing 3rd in the Western Conference standings trailing behind Al Hilal & Al Ahli.
The 2nd leg will now be high stakes battle as Al Nassr aim to break the deadlock at home and push for quarterfinal berth in the prestigious tournament.