By Ahmad Harbi

Tuesday, October 3, 2023 04:00 AM

Group challenge Hilal of Saudi Arabia Hosted by Iran’s Nazaji Masandaran this evening, Tuesday as part of the second round of Group D matches, a stage for the AFC Champions League for the current season 2023-24.

Azadi Stadium in Tehran will host Nazaji Mazandaran vs Al Hilal at 7pm Cairo time.

As a result of the draw, Al Hilal were placed in Group Four of the competition along with Iranian Mazandaran Weavers, Indian Mumbai City FC and Uzbekistan’s Nafpakor..

Al Hilal were held to a first-round draw against Nawbahor, with a goal in the match, and will be looking to top the group stages by grabbing points for the entire tournament, while Nazaji will be looking to continue their winning streak. Defeated Mumbai by two unanswered goals in the last round..

As the Saudi leader looks for success, Al Hilal’s coach, Portuguese Jorge Jesus, realizes Mazandaran’s situation is different from that of Uzbekistan’s champions, and Jesus relies on a group of stars such as Brazilian Neymar da Silva. The midfielder, along with the dangerous Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, in addition to many stars, Morocco World Cup goalkeeper Yassin Bouno, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly and other specialists such as Malcom.

Al Hilal’s Portuguese coach is expected to start the match against Nazaji with the following formation:

Goalkeeper: Mohammad Al Owais

Defence: Saud Abdel Hameed – Hassan Timbukti – Khaledo Koulibaly – Yasser Al-Shahrani

Midfield: Salman Al-Faraj – Muhammad Kanno – Michael – Malcolm

Attack: Aleksandar Mitrovic – Neymar

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday that facing Napoli, one of Italy’s best teams, will be the toughest for the team in the Champions League group stage.

Spanish first division leaders Real Madrid began their quest for a 15th title with a 1-0 win over hosts Union Berlin last month, with third-placed Napoli winning in the Italian league. 2-1 win over hosts Sporting Prague.

Tuesday’s clash at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium could be decisive as both teams look to top Group C.

Ancelotti, who previously coached Napoli, told reporters: “We will play against the best Italian teams. He did well last season. It will be a competitive match and the balance will be even because he is at a high level.

“It will be a very difficult match for us in the group stage. I don’t want to say we are used to it, but the shirt of this club is very heavy on our shoulders.”

Ancelotti will return to Napoli after leading the team in 73 matches between 2018 and 2019, where he avoided defeat in the group stage of the Champions League before being eliminated when they finished seventh in the Italian league.

“I have positive memories,” Ancelotti said. “It’s a magical city. There are less happy moments. But I had a great experience. It doesn’t make sense to reminisce before a match like this. It’s better to end the relationship. It’s not good between the club and the coach.

“I think it’s the right decision for Napoli and for me, as I’m returning to the best club in the world after two years.”

The last clash between Real Madrid and Napoli was before the Champions League for the 2016-2017 season, where the Spanish giants continued their journey to win the title with a 3-1 win over the two rounds of 16 matches by the same scoreline.