Wissing Makes Bold Moves as En-Nesyri Shines in League Opener

Jens Wissing did not ease his way into his first Roshn Saudi League campaign. He made a statement.

On the opening day, the German head coach of Al-Ittihad left Nigerian striker George Ilenikhena out in the cold, omitting him entirely from the squad for the clash with Al-Khaleej at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah. Instead, he built his attack around Moroccan forward Youssef En-Nesyri, making it clear who currently owns the No. 9 role.

It was a ruthless call. Only days earlier, Ilenikhena had come off the bench in the 4-1 win over Al-Jazira of the UAE in the AFC Champions League Elite play-off qualifier, a convincing victory that seemed to give everyone involved a platform. Not for him. Not this time.

En-Nesyri at the Core, Wide Threats Locked In

Wissing’s selection for the league opener revolved around En-Nesyri as the focal point of the front line, with pace and directness either side of him. Moussa Diaby, the French winger, started on one flank, while Dutch international Steven Bergwijn took the other, giving Al-Ittihad a front three built to stretch and hurt opponents in transition.

The message was clear: vertical, aggressive, and centred on the Moroccan’s movement in the box.

Behind them, Wissing resisted the temptation to tinker with the midfield. He kept faith with the same trio that started against Al-Jazira: Farha Al-Shamrani, Dion Lopy and Houssem Aouar. Stability in the engine room, risk at the top end of the pitch.

Defensive Shake-Up, More High-Profile Casualties

Ilenikhena was not the only notable absentee. Serbian defender Jan-Carlo Simić, who had started the previous match, also disappeared from the squad list. Another big decision, another established name sidelined.

In his place, Ahmed Al-Julaidan returned at right-back, restoring a more familiar domestic presence to the back line. He lined up with Faris Abdi at left-back, while Danilo Pereira and Stefan Keller formed the central defensive partnership.

The back four looked more conservative, more balanced. The midfield, unchanged. The attack, rebuilt around En-Nesyri.

Bold calls for the closing fixture of the first round of the Roshn Saudi League. For Ilenikhena and Simić, the question now is simple: were these one-off opening-day shocks, or the first sign of a new hierarchy under Wissing?