Wissing Praises En-Nesyri After Al-Ittihad’s 4-1 Win Over Al-Ettifaq
Al-Ittihad head coach Jens Wissing praised Youssef En-Nesyri after the Moroccan striker made an immediate impact off the bench, scoring twice in a 4-1 victory over Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Roshn League. The result offered Al-Ittihad a timely lift after consecutive defeats and strengthened the case for En-Nesyri’s growing importance to the team.
Al-Ittihad claimed the away win on Tuesday in the league’s 10th round, producing four goals against a respected opponent on its home ground. En-Nesyri entered the match in the 72nd minute, with his side leading 2-1, and helped turn a narrow advantage into a convincing finish.
Wissing Says His Substitutions Made the Difference
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Wissing said he was pleased with both the result and the range of goals his side produced. His comments were reported by the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat.
“I’m happy with the win and the big result, the number of goals and the variety of ways they were scored, especially after our stumble in the last two matches,” the German coach said.
Wissing also addressed the chances Al-Ittihad failed to convert, acknowledging that his team could have been more efficient. However, he urged the players to focus on the positives: they scored four times, created repeated opportunities and did so against a strong opponent away from home.
“We have to look at the positive side,” he said, adding that the performance gave the team something to build on. For a side seeking to regain momentum, the number of chances created may matter almost as much as the final score. Turning that attacking pressure into goals more consistently will be a key test in upcoming fixtures.
The coach reserved particular praise for his substitutions. En-Nesyri replaced Jorge after the starting forward had delivered what Wissing described as a distinguished performance. The change, he explained, was prompted by fatigue—and the Moroccan striker quickly justified the decision.
En-Nesyri Delivers a Decisive Late Double
En-Nesyri’s first goal arrived in the 80th minute. He finished a low delivery from Muhannad Al-Shanqiti, giving Al-Ittihad a two-goal cushion and shifting the pressure firmly onto Al-Ettifaq.
Five minutes later, the striker completed his brace. This time, he met Ahmed Al-Ghamdi’s cross with a well-timed header to make it 4-1. The two finishes showcased different parts of his game: sharp movement and composure close to goal, followed by the aerial threat that has long made him a difficult forward to defend against.
His late contribution was more than a pair of goals on the scoresheet. It gave Al-Ittihad a clear finish to a match that had remained competitive at 2-1 and demonstrated the value of having a high-impact option available from the bench. In a demanding football schedule, depth and the ability to change a game late can prove crucial.
Four Consecutive League Matches With a Goal
The brace extended En-Nesyri’s scoring run to four consecutive Roshn League matches. He found the net against Al-Feiha in the sixth round, scored twice against Al-Faisaly in the seventh, and added a goal in the eighth-round clash with Al-Hilal before his double against Al-Ettifaq.
That run has made him Al-Ittihad’s leading scorer in the league this season, with seven goals. He is two ahead of teammates Jorge Eleninkhina and Steven Bergwijn, who have each scored five, according to the figures in the supplied match report.
Consistency is especially valuable for a striker adapting to the demands of a new team and league. En-Nesyri’s recent output gives Al-Ittihad a reliable source of goals, while his ability to score in different ways offers Wissing tactical flexibility. He can threaten from crosses, attack space in the penalty area and provide a target when the team needs a direct option.
A Timely Response After Consecutive Defeats
The victory also helped Al-Ittihad respond to a difficult stretch. The club had lost 3-2 to Al-Hilal in the eighth round of the Roshn League, then suffered a 2-1 defeat to UAE side Shabab Al-Ahli in the second round of the AFC Champions League Elite league phase.
Those results made a strong performance against Al-Ettifaq important for more than the league table. A convincing away win can restore confidence, particularly when the team scores four goals and receives a decisive contribution from one of its leading attackers. Wissing’s emphasis on the response suggests he wants the result to become a platform rather than a one-off recovery.
Still, the coach’s comments about missed chances point to an area Al-Ittihad will need to address. Against stronger opponents, failing to convert opportunities can keep a match in the balance. The 4-1 scoreline was emphatic, but the team’s ability to maintain its attacking threat while improving its finishing will shape its next phase of the campaign.
What the Result Could Mean for Al-Ittihad
En-Nesyri’s form raises an interesting selection question for Wissing: should the striker return to the starting lineup, or is he most effective as a second-half impact player? His latest performance strengthens his claim for more minutes, but the coach may also value the energy and urgency he brings against tiring defenders.
Any prediction about Al-Ittihad’s next matches should account for both factors. The team has shown it can create chances and finish strongly, while En-Nesyri’s scoring streak gives it a forward in confident form. At the same time, the recent defeats and missed opportunities serve as reminders that one big win does not resolve every concern.
For now, Wissing’s decision to introduce the Moroccan proved spot-on. En-Nesyri transformed a close contest into a comfortable victory, extended his scoring run and moved clear as Al-Ittihad’s top league scorer. If he sustains this form—and the team builds on its improved attacking display—the striker could become central to the club’s push for consistency in the Saudi Roshn League.
