Ange Postecoglou during a press conference

Saudi football journalists are learning very quickly that it's not a wise idea to poke the bear that is Ange Postecoglou.

After Postecoglou's Al Nassr were beaten 4-0 by Al Ain in their AFC Champions League Elite opener, one local reporter decided to aim a string of criticisms towards the Australian.

Al Nassr in action against Al Ain
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Al Nassr's loss to Al Ain was their second defeat in the last four gamesCredit: Getty

The reporter questioned the club's pre-season preparations in Portugal, prompting Postecoglou to ask if the former was there.

After the reporter confirmed his attendance, Postecoglou said: "And what happened? No, no, but you need to explain because you say we didn't prepare well, but you were there. You're not saying the truth. Be honest.

"It's my responsibility. Maybe I haven't done my job well, but please don't talk about preparation because in Portugal, how many of these players were in Portugal?"

The reporter replied: "But they came ready from national teams."

A stunned Postecoglou said: "Oh, they came ready. Okay."

What did the Saudi reporter say about Cristiano Ronaldo?

The same reporter then turned his attention to Al Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming the Portuguese icon's 'presence does not benefit the team, especially in matches'.

Postecoglou quickly reminded the reporter Ronaldo has scored three times already despite having a 'limited preparation' as he was away with Portugal at the World Cup.

The Al Nassr boss continued: "This is not about the players. They are top players and they have great character. The responsibility is mine.

"It's me, but you shouldn't say that about somebody who is still setting an example for everyone.

"And you should be careful when you say things like that about people who have built a career on making all the sacrifices to keep playing.

Cristiano Ronaldo looks frustrated during an Al Nassr game
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Ronaldo has started six of his seven appearances for Al Nassr this termCredit: Getty

"You can criticise me, no problem. That's okay, but you need to be careful."

Postecoglou then asked the reporter if Ronaldo had not scored in three games and didn't have chances against Al Ain, to which they replied: "The last three matches, he did nothing."

The former Tottenham boss clapped back: "He did nothing? Well, you're watching a different game to me."

Al Nassr's brutal fixture run

Tuesday's defeat to Al Ain was Al Nassr's ninth fixture in the space of a month and fourth in the space of 10 days.

Despite the congested schedule, Postecoglou conceded the result was a 'disappointing one.'

“It was always going to be a difficult game with the schedule we’ve had but the first goal we conceded, it made the task more difficult," Postecoglou said.

Ange Postecoglou looks on
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Postecoglou will have to weather a fixture storm yet again in the not-too-distant futureCredit: Getty

“The players still stuck to it and tried as hard as they could, but we couldn’t get a goal back in he game and then obviously we had to open up to try and score, and Al Ain took advantage.”

Postecoglou and his Al Nassr troops will now have almost a month off before they return to action due to the international break.

But once competition resumes, there will be no slowing down for Postecoglou's side.

As it stands, Al Nassr will play four matches in the space of nine days, beginning with a clash against Diriyah on October 9.

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