Al-Ittihad coach Yenz Viseng says Al-Nassr win made Al-Fayha test difficult

Al-Ittihad manager Yenz Viseng said his side’s demanding victory over Al-Nassr affected their performance in the 2-1 win against Al-Fayha in the Saudi Pro League.

Al-Ittihad secured all three points in Tuesday’s sixth-round fixture at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, four days after beating Al-Nassr by the same score at the same venue.

Speaking at his post-match news conference, in comments reported by Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, Viseng said: “It was not an easy match. Just days after a difficult game against Al-Nassr, we had made a huge effort, and that affected us in this match.”

Al-Ittihad had defeated Al-Nassr 2-1 on the previous Saturday in the fifth round of the competition.

The German coach said his team had created openings before the interval but had not been clinical enough to turn them into goals.

“In the first half, we were not successful in converting some chances into goals,” he said. “They were not dangerous chances, but they were good opportunities. In the second half, we were more dangerous and the team improved in some areas. The most important thing is that we took all three points.”

Morocco striker Youssef En-Nesyri was introduced after half-time and played a role in Al-Ittihad’s pursuit of the winning goal. Viseng said the forward’s attacking and defensive qualities had influenced his decision.

“I wanted to finish the match,” Viseng said. “When En-Nesyri came on, I believed we were capable of scoring, and also because of his ability to track back defensively.”

He added that Al-Ittihad were improving but were not yet physically equipped to maintain an intense tempo every three days.

“We were better in the second half,” said Viseng. “We are in a situation where we are developing day by day, but our fitness level currently does not allow us to play at a high tempo every three days.”

Viseng has used a large number of players during a demanding run of fixtures and said he had full confidence in the members of his squad.

“This is my team and I believe in all the players,” he said. “I analyse every player and study every option. We have a difficult schedule, so it is important that everyone plays.”

The manager was also asked about Al-Ittihad’s decision to sign Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum on a free transfer after his departure from Al-Ettifaq. The move came despite the club’s reported need for a winger, with the discussion focusing particularly on the right side and the possibility of using players such as Anis or Doan in that position.

Viseng said he was more concerned with a player’s versatility than with a strict positional label.

“I do not look at it from the perspective of the player’s position,” he said. “What matters to me is a player who can play in more than one role, whether on the flank or between the lines.”

He described Wijnaldum as an important addition to the squad and praised both his football intelligence and his character.

“Wijnaldum is an important addition,” Viseng said. “He is an intelligent player who knows how to deal with different situations. He is hungry. I spoke with him, and he is a wonderful player, a wonderful person and a leader.”

The result was Al-Ittihad’s fourth victory in six Saudi Pro League matches. They have also drawn twice and sit third in the table on 14 points, one behind leaders Al-Hilal and Al-Qadsiah.