Al-Nassr's Marcelo Brozovic and Aymeric Laporte got into a heated argument ahead of the club's AFC Champions League clash against Al-Fayha.
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Brozovic and Laporte involved in spatTeam-mates and staff get involvedAl-Nassr beat Al-Fayha 2-0 on the nightWHAT HAPPENED?
The former Manchester City defender appeared to have agitated the former Inter midfielder, who had to be restrained by members of the staff. Cameras followed the Al-Nassr midfielder as he appeared to be talking with Laporte before being shoved away by team-mate Ali Lajami. The Croatian turned around, and in order to keep things from getting out of control, a staff member had to step in between him and Lajami.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
In January 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo initiated the Saudi revolution; in the summer, Brozovic and Laporte also did the same. Having just squared off in the Champions League final—possibly the pinnacle of club football—the two were viewed as a tremendous coup for the Saudi game. After winning the game and a treble with City, Laporte left and became the most highly-regarded defender in the SPL right away. But the 29-year-old hasn't had an easy time of it; he recently acknowledged he was "disappointed" with his new home.
WHAT LUIS CASTRO SAID
Al-Nassr boss Luis Castro did not appear too worried about the incident when he spoke out after the match. "These confrontations can be a positive thing," he said after seeing his team progress to the next round.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR AL-NASSR?
The Saudi Pro League side managed to push past Al-Fayha to get into the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League. They will next be in action when the club takes on Al-Shabab as they look to catch up with Al-Hilal at the top of the table.