Ange Postecoglou clashed with a reporter while staunchly defending Cristiano Ronaldo following a heavy Al Nassr defeat on Tuesday.
The Saudi Pro League champions were thrashed 4-0 by Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates in the Asian Champions League Elite — the biggest defeat of Ronaldo’s career in Saudi Arabia.
After the match, a reporter questioned Ronaldo and the team’s preparation.
“You say we didn’t prepare well, but you were there,” Postecoglou said. “So you’re not saying the truth. Be honest.
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“It’s my responsibility. Maybe I haven’t done my job well. That’s fine. But please don’t talk about preparation.”
Postecoglou then continued his defence of the Portugal, Real Madrid and Manchester United legend after the reporter said that Ronaldo doesn’t help Al Nassr in matches.
“Cristiano has scored three goals already,” Postecoglou said. “He had a limited preparation. This is not about the players. The players are giving everything. They’re top players, and they’ve got great character.
“The responsibility is mine, okay? But you shouldn’t say that about somebody who is still setting an example for everyone. And you should be careful when you say things like that about people who have built a career on making all the sacrifices to keep playing.
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“Like I said, you can criticise me, no problem. That’s okay. Did he not score in three games? Did he not have chances today?”
When told that Ronaldo did “nothing” in Tuesday’s loss, Postecoglou responded: “You’re watching a different game to me.”
Postecoglou, the former Tottenham and Nottingham Forest boss, joined Al Nassr in the summer. His side are third in the Saudi Pro League, behind Al Hilal and Al Ittihad.
