Wissing's Bold Call for Al-Ittihad's League Opener

Jens Wissing wasted no time stamping his authority on Al-Ittihad’s attack in the Roshn Saudi League opener, and George Ilenikhena felt the full force of it.

The German coach not only preferred new spearhead Youssef En-Nesyri to the Nigerian striker, he went a step further: Ilenikhena didn’t even make the matchday squad for today’s clash with Al-Khaleej at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah.

Just four days earlier, Ilenikhena had come off the bench in the 4-1 win over Al-Jazira of the UAE, helping Al-Ittihad book their place in the AFC Champions League Elite play-off. Any thought that cameo might have nudged him closer to a starting role vanished with Wissing’s team sheet.

Instead, the attack was built squarely around En-Nesyri as the central striker, a classic No. 9 given the keys to the front line. On either side of him, pace and direct running: France’s Moussa Diaby on one wing and Netherlands international Steven Bergwijn on the other. It was a clear statement of intent — vertical, aggressive, and ruthless in transition.

Ilenikhena was not alone in paying the price for Wissing’s reshuffle. Serbian defender Jan-Carlo Simić, who started against Al-Jazira, also disappeared from the squad. His place in the back line went to Ahmed Al-Julaidan, recalled at right-back to join left-back Faris Abdi and the central defensive pairing of Danilo Pereira and Stefan Keller.

While the back four and forward line carried the headlines, the middle of the pitch remained untouched. Wissing kept faith with the same midfield trio that controlled proceedings in midweek: Farha Al-Shamrani, Dion Lopy and Houssem Aouar. That continuity in the engine room hinted at a coach who liked what he saw between the lines, even as he tightened the screws on selection elsewhere.

Al-Ittihad’s starting XI, then, told a sharp early-season story. Established names and new signings at the forefront, bold omissions in the background, and a clear message from Wissing: reputations alone will not guarantee a place in this team.