Al-Ittihad leave Ilenikhena and Simic out as En-Nesyri starts Saudi Pro League opener

Al-Ittihad manager Jens Vissing has left Nigerian forward George Ilenikhena and Serbian defender Jan-Carlo Simic out of the squad for the Saudi Pro League opener against Al-Kholood, with Morocco international Youssef En-Nesyri selected to lead the attack.

Al-Ittihad host Al-Kholood at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah on Saturday, in the final match of the opening round of this season’s Saudi Pro League.

Vissing has named En-Nesyri as the team’s central striker, with France winger Moussa Diaby and Netherlands forward Steven Bergwijn set to operate on either side of him.

The decision means Ilenikhena has been omitted from the matchday squad altogether, despite making an appearance as a substitute in Al-Ittihad’s 4-1 victory over UAE side Al Jazira on Tuesday.

That match was played in the play-off round for the Asian Champions League Elite, with Ilenikhena contributing from the bench as the Jeddah club secured a convincing win.

Simic is also absent from the squad for Saturday’s league fixture. The Serbian defender started against Al Jazira but has now been replaced in the defensive plans by Ahmed Al-Jalidan.

Al-Jalidan returns at right-back, forming a back four alongside left-back Fares Abdi and central defenders Danilo Pereira and Stefan Keller.

Vissing has otherwise kept the same midfield that began the victory over Al Jazira. Farhah Al-Shamrani, Dion Lopy and Houssem Aouar will start in the middle of the pitch.

The line-up represents an immediate change in selection for Al-Ittihad at the start of their domestic campaign, with En-Nesyri given the responsibility of leading the attack and two summer options left out of the squad.

Ilenikhena’s exclusion is particularly notable because he featured in the club’s most recent competitive match. However, the Nigerian forward does not form part of Vissing’s plans for the opening Saudi Pro League game, while En-Nesyri has been chosen for the central role.

Simic faces a similar omission after starting the midweek Asian Champions League Elite play-off match. His place in the defensive line has been taken by Al-Jalidan, with Al-Ittihad retaining Pereira and Keller in central defence.

The midfield trio remains unchanged from the win against Al Jazira, giving Al-Shamrani, Lopy and Aouar another opportunity to begin together.

Al-Ittihad’s starting XI therefore includes En-Nesyri in attack, supported by Diaby and Bergwijn, while Al-Jalidan returns at right-back and both Ilenikhena and Simic are left out of the squad.

The Saudi Pro League fixture against Al-Kholood is the club’s first league match of the season, following their 4-1 success against Al Jazira in the Asian Champions League Elite qualifying play-off on Tuesday.