Al Nassr Play Without Ronaldo as Samu Costa Gets First Start

Al Nassr are set to take on Al Diriyah in the Round of 32 of the Saudi King's Cup, a knockout stage in which a single defeat eliminates a team from the competition entirely.

Notably, star forward Cristiano Ronaldo will be absent for the fixture, prompting coach Ange Postecoglou to make changes to his squad and starting eleven.

Among the most significant changes is the decision to give Samu Costa his first competitive start for the club, marking a milestone in the midfielder's time at Al Nassr.

The match has drawn attention not only for Ronaldo's absence but also for the practical details fans need, including where to find live streaming coverage of the fixture.

Ahead of kick-off, previews have circulated with team news, expected lineups, and a prediction of the likely outcome, standard elements of coverage for cup fixtures such as this one.

As a knockout fixture, the stakes are high for both sides: Al Nassr, as one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent clubs, will be keen to progress despite missing their marquee player, while Al Diriyah will look to cause an upset against a heavily favoured opponent.

The Round of 32 forms part of the broader structure of the Saudi King's Cup, one of the country's most prestigious domestic competitions, in which teams progress through successive rounds until a champion is crowned.

Postecoglou's decision to hand Costa his first start suggests a degree of squad rotation, a common approach among coaches managing cup fixtures alongside league commitments, and it may offer clues about how the manager plans to use his squad depth in Ronaldo's absence.