Al Nasr admit awful AGL start means Alvaro Negredo will receive immediate Al Ain debut

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  • (Twitter/@ALNasrSC).

    Al Nasr look set to ‘unleash the Beast’ on Friday after coach Ivan Jovanovic confirmed he has no choice but to hand an immediate debut to ex-Spain striker Alvaro Negredo against Arabian Gulf League-champions Al Ain.

    Negredo, 33, inked a lucrative two-year deal on Tuesday after a €1 million (Dh4.3m) deal was agreed with Turkey’s Besiktas. This transfer represents a dramatic reaction to an awful start to the season which has included defeats in both top-flight fixtures.

    “He [Negredo] has a lot of experience in European teams and I hope he will be a strong addition to the team,” coach Ivan Jovanovic said of his former Real Madrid, Sevilla and Manchester City centre forward.

    “It’s not easy for him. He needs time. I believe he can help us in the future, but now with the situation we are in, he has to play [versus Al Ain].”

    In contrast, opponents the Boss battled back last time out against Al Dhafra to maintain a 100-per-cent record. Prolific Sweden striker Marcus Berg is available after he recovered from illness.

    Meanwhile, a defining clash awaits when runners-up Al Wahda host third-placed finishers Al Wasl.

    The sides are experiencing contrasting form. The Clarets have won both matches to a combined score of 10-1, plus last month’s Arabian Gulf Super Cup, while the latter-mentioned required star striker Fabio De Lima to salvage a 1-1 draw last time out against First Division League champions Bani Yas.

    New coach Gustavo Quinteros admitted he has plenty of things to improve on.

    He said: “We are now preparing for a serious match against Al Wahda.

    “We are working in the training to address all the problems in attack, and especially in defence.”

    Highlights of Thursday’s fixture include Sharjah’s excellent start to the season being tested by star-studded Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club.

    At the other end of the table, Emirates Club and Dibba Al Fujairah will not want to lose points to a relegation rival.

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