Al-Ahli Trapped in Draw ‍Against Al-Nasr: Ivan Toney and Riyad Mahrez’s Performance Under Scrutiny

Gentlemen, it was luck that ⁢prevented Al-Ahli from securing three points in the Al-Nasr match, after the Yellows scored an equalizer in the 90+9th minute, prompting Russian referee Sergei Karasev​ to blow the final whistle.

With Al-Ahly bolstering its ranks with English striker‌ Ivan Toney from Brentford, with a‌ contract for 4 seasons,⁤ German coach Matthias Zeisl‍ decided to give him ⁣a chance⁢ to take part as a starter in a​ big clash like Al-Nasr. Jaisla preferred to take the risk of‌ bringing in Algerian Riyad Mahrez despite ⁤fears of his lack of fitness following his recent injury.

Ivan​ Toney: Less Than Expected

Before the match, ⁣Al-Ahly fans were waging a psychological war on Al-Nasr’s side using the weapons of English Premier League striker Ivan Toni, but Al-Nasr’s critics responded that this was ⁤Toni’s first appearance,‍ and it was natural that the new environment​ for the former Brentford striker will affect performance.

Looking at the performance of Ivan Toni, especially in the first half, Nasrawi’s approach proved to be logical, what we saw on the field, but ⁤it was less than expected, because he‌ was without a goal or an assist and he‍ did not even have a single shot or ball goes out of the goal against ⁣goalkeeper Pinto.

Under the close supervision of Ivan‌ Toni, the Al-Ahly​ striker seemed⁣ closer to a midfielder, as he attempted passes, with an accuracy of 73%, while he did not attack or ​pose any ⁢danger inside the Al-Nasr penalty‍ area, except for a modest effort in the 71st minute, caught by the goalkeeper.

Looking at Toni’s numbers, the player touched the ball 39 times, made 16 correct passes and managed to win ‌the ‍ball only twice out of 8 attempts in clashes with Al-Nasr players. When he lost possession ⁤of the ball 14 times.

Riyad Mahrez: A Frustrating Performance

Algeria international Riyad Mahrez raised doubts over his inclusion in the title match, after suffering a knee injury that forced him to leave the Algerian national team camp, before confirming his ​readiness to meet‌ Al-Ahli Al-Nasr, and German​ coach Matthias Zeiss even decided to include him⁣ as a starter due to their reliance on him at right front.

With ​his movements that activated the⁣ right front, Mahrez made only​ one key pass,⁣ 3 crosses that were not crowned with success, and two long balls that were only 50% successful, however, he lost possession of the ‍ball 8 times, although he had no shots on goal.

One ‍look at Mahrez’s face as⁢ he left⁢ the ​Awal⁣ Park ‌Stadium to be substituted in⁣ the 89th minute,‍ before ‌Fahd Al-Rashidi stepped in ⁣as his replacement, is enough⁤ to confirm⁢ his frustration at not performing to the level ​he expected.