Al Nassr v Al Hilal: Stefano Pioli backs Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Riyadh derby

Stefano Pioli has backed Cristiano Ronaldo to make a positive impact for Al Nassr in their upcoming Riyadh derby against Al Hilal.

Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr on a free transfer from Manchester United in January, is yet to make his debut for his new club. However, Pioli is confident that the Portuguese forward will be a valuable addition to the team.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player and he will help us a lot," Pioli said. "He is a winner and he knows how to score goals. I am sure he will be a success at Al Nassr."

Ronaldo is expected to make his debut for Al Nassr in the Riyadh derby on Thursday. The match will be a tough test for Ronaldo and his new team, but Pioli is confident that they can get a positive result.

"We are playing against a strong team, but we are confident that we can win," Pioli said. "We have a good team and we are ready for the challenge."

The Riyadh derby is one of the most important matches in Saudi Arabian football. Al Nassr and Al Hilal are the two most successful clubs in the country, and the rivalry between the two teams is intense.

Ronaldo will be hoping to make a positive impact in his first Riyadh derby. A win for Al Nassr would be a major boost for the team's morale, and it would also help Ronaldo to settle into his new surroundings.

The match will be played at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh. Kick-off is at 8pm local time.