Youssef En-Nesyri embracing defensive role in new-look Al-Ittihad system

Youssef En-Nesyri has become far more than a penalty-box striker for Al-Ittihad this season, with the Morocco forward increasingly asked to press, cover space and contribute defensively under German coach Jens Vising.

The 7 matches he has played have brought only 3 attacking contributions – two goals and one assist. On the surface, that may suggest En-Nesyri has not produced the scoring return expected from a leading striker.

His performances away from the statistics, however, reveal a different role. Rather than simply waiting for service inside the area, the attacker is required to move across the pitch, support the build-up, lead the press and track back when Al-Ittihad lose possession.

At times, En-Nesyri has been used to protect areas close to the touchline. On other occasions, he has dropped into central positions to help block passing lanes and restrict the opposition’s route forward.

There have also been moments when he has effectively joined Al-Ittihad’s defensive line. This is particularly evident when the team adopts a structured defensive shape and needs to monitor a specific attacking threat. His position away from the penalty area is therefore part of the tactical plan, rather than an accidental departure from his usual position.

That reflects Vising’s approach. The coach does not view En-Nesyri as a forward who should remain high and wait for chances. Instead, he expects him to follow instructions in different areas of the pitch and contribute during several phases of a match.

En-Nesyri has acknowledged that his responsibilities at Al-Ittihad are different, saying he performs every role required to help the team produce its best football. His comments underline his willingness to adapt to the coaching staff’s demands rather than remain limited to the traditional duties of a number nine.

The figures may appear harsh when compared with the output normally associated with a prolific striker. Three attacking contributions in 7 matches is not the return any club expects from a high-level forward.

But those numbers do not show what En-Nesyri does without the ball: the spaces he covers, the support he provides to team-mates, or the work involved in pressing opponents and forcing mistakes.

His function has become that of a moving link within the Al-Ittihad system. He can begin an attack as the centre-forward, drop back to help build play, become the first line of pressure after possession is lost and then move into another area to close space.

That means a lower scoring rate alone cannot be taken as evidence of a decline. En-Nesyri has not abandoned his attacking responsibilities; he is performing additional tasks that connect him more closely to the collective structure.

Previously, his job was easier to define: find gaps between defenders, attack crosses, run in behind the defensive line and arrive in the box to finish moves. Now he also moves to create space for team-mates, draw defenders away, cover defensively and follow tactical instructions based on the opponent’s movements.

Vising clearly wants En-Nesyri to influence matches even when he does not score. The forward’s physical strength and ability to cover large distances allow the coach to deploy him in several roles during the same game.

En-Nesyri has not literally changed from striker to defender. He remains a forward who can take on defensive duties when the system requires it – a different version of the Morocco international at Al-Ittihad, with less emphasis on the numbers and greater involvement in the team’s overall structure.