Wissing's Bold Move: En-Nesyri Leads Al-Ittihad as Ilenikhena Axed

Jens Wissing wasted no time stamping his authority on Al-Ittihad’s season.

For the club’s opening Roshn Saudi League fixture against Al-Khaleej at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah, the German coach made a headline decision: Nigerian striker George Ilenikhena didn’t just miss the starting XI — he was cut from the matchday squad altogether.

The stage instead belonged to Youssef En-Nesyri.

En-Nesyri at the Heart of Wissing’s Plan

Wissing built his first league line-up around the Moroccan as a classic No. 9, trusting En-Nesyri to spearhead the attack. On either side, he went for pace and directness: Moussa Diaby on one flank, Steven Bergwijn on the other.

It was a clear statement of intent. En-Nesyri as the focal point. Diaby and Bergwijn tasked with stretching Al-Khaleej and feeding their striker.

Ilenikhena watched it all from the outside.

Ilenikhena and Simić Left Out

The decision to omit Ilenikhena came just days after the forward featured off the bench in Al-Ittihad’s 4-1 win over Al-Jazira of the UAE in the AFC Champions League Elite play-off qualifier. That cameo was not enough to convince Wissing to even name him among the substitutes.

He was not alone.

Serbian defender Jan-Carlo Simić, who started that Al-Jazira match, also disappeared from the squad for the league opener. His place in the XI went to Ahmed Al-Julaidan, who returned at right-back.

Back Line Reshaped, Midfield Untouched

Al-Julaidan slotted into a back four alongside left-back Faris Abdi, with Danilo Pereira and Stefan Keller forming the central defensive partnership. That defensive reshuffle contrasted sharply with the middle of the pitch, where Wissing refused to tinker.

The midfield remained identical to the Al-Jazira win: Farha Al-Shamrani, Dion Lopy and Houssem Aouar all kept their places, entrusted again to control the tempo and link play into that new-look front three.

The message from the touchline was unmistakable: the core stays, but the margins are ruthless.