With Bento at the back, Al Nassr title tilt in safe hands | OneFootball

As Al Nassr executives regrouped at the end of last season, after their team had pushed Al Hilal all the way in the Roshn Saudi League but ultimately fell short of their Riyadh rivals, they assessed the areas on the pitch that required most attention.

A new striker was identified, although it took until the winter transfer window before they secured Colombian star Jhon Duran. Defensive reinforcements were needed last summer, also, to partner Aymeric Laporte, so in came French youth international Mohamed Simakan from RB Leipzig.

In the wide attacking areas, Al Nassr looked to the future, with young Brazilian duo Wesley and Angelo Gabriel, who were both aged 19 when the signed. But, arguably, their main priority was a new man between the sticks.

The departure of veteran Colombian international David Ospina had already been flagged, and while promising Saudi Arabian goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi was on their books, the Riyadh giants opted to look further afield.

The player they settled on, Bento, was the perfect profile in every sense. Experienced from his time in Brazil with Athletico Paranaense - he made more than 150 appearances across five seasons - he was also seen as an emerging talent.

Twelve months prior to his arrival in the Kingdom, Bento was capped by Brazil by interim head coach Fernando Diniz. At 25, he was the perfect age profile as well.

This was a player who still had everything to achieve ahead of him, so Al Nassr knew he would come hungry and with the right mindset.

While some saw a future in Europe for the Curitiba-native, Bento had no hesitation or qualms in moving to Al Nassr to play alongside, and against, some of the most prominent names in the game.

“I think there is a bit of prejudice against the Saudi league; just look at who players there,” Bento said previously. I don’t even need to talk about my team. The level is the same, I continue to improve. I can show that on the pitch [and] I will do my best to demonstrate that.”

Show it he most certainly has. Admittedly, there are other goalkeepers in the 2024-25 RSL that have contributed more saves (Bento has 85) or more clean sheets (seven), but the impact he has had would be the match of any in his position across the league.

With Bento in goal, Al Nassr have lowered their average-goals-conceded rate from last term. It may be only marginal - down to 1.07 from 1.23 - but given how tight the league is this season, any gain is to be cherished.

Meanwhile, 20 of those 85 saves made are considered “big chances saved”, none more impressive – or important – than his incredible reflex save to deny Al Hilal in the opening Capital Derby of the season, in November.

The game concluded 1-1 and, not only did Bento earn his side a valuable point, but it also gave them belief - both in him as a goalkeeper and in themselves as a squad.

Bento was at it again in December, making a superb save to deny Al Ittihad captain Karim Benzema in Jeddah. OK, Al Nassr eventually lost 2-1 to a stoppage-time goal, but Bento had proven again he was a man for the big occasion. He was promptly rewarded with Save of the Week.

It’s an award he’s been nominated for, and won, multiple times, including last week after arguably his best effort of the season.

Once again, Bento saved his best for the big occasion: the Capital Derby re-match against Al Hilal. With their crosstown rivals showing signs of vulnerability, this was a chance for Al Nassr to get some revenge for last season’s title miss.

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That is exactly what they did, winning 3-1 thanks in large part to two goals from evergreen captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

But were it not for the heroics of Bento, perhaps it could’ve been a different story. After going 2-0 down, Al Hilal were pushing hard to get back into the game when Salem Al Dawsari found the ball, and a slither of space, in the visitors’ penalty area.

However, his shot was repelled brilliantly by Bento’s outstretched leg.

With Al Nassr taking all three points to close the gap on their rivals in second place and move closer to Al Ittihad at the summit, it could soon be viewed in retrospect a season-defining moment.

Bento and Al Nassr face another of those in Matchweek 28, when they come up against Al Qadsiah on Friday night. The side from Al Khobar have hit a speed bump in recent weeks that has seen them drop from third to fifth – and, crucially, five points behind third-placed Al Nassr.

A home win would put Al Qadsiah back into calculations for a top-three finish; a loss would go some way to killing off that possibility.

On the other hand, victory for Al Nassr would pull them back to a point from Al Hilal and, after Al Ittihad’s shock defeat on Thursday at Al Fateh, to within five of the frontrunners with six rounds remaining.

On paper, Al Qadsiah boast the league’s best goalkeeper in Koen Casteels, who has 13 clean sheets in his debut RSL campaign.

Friday’s tussle could therefore be a game decided by those between the sticks at either end, and Bento has shown time and again this season that he thrives when the spotlight shines brightest.