Al-Ittihad received a significant morale and technical boost with the return of their Moroccan international striker, Youssef En-Nesyri, to team training on Thursday evening. This return comes at a crucial time, as the club prepares for their upcoming match against Al-Khaleej on Friday evening, in the 24th round of the Saudi Professional League.
En-Nesyri, who joined Al-Ittihad during the last winter transfer window, only participated in individual training sessions on Wednesday as a precautionary measure following the injury he sustained during the derby match against Al-Hilal, which ended in a 1-1 draw. The coaching staff, led by the manager, preferred not to risk the player in the previous match against Al-Hazm to avoid aggravating the injury and ensure his full fitness for upcoming matches.
A distinguished career and European experience to bolster Al-Ittihad's attack
The signing of Youssef En-Nesyri (26 years old) is a significant addition to the Saudi League in general and to Al-Ittihad Club in particular. The player boasts an impressive track record in European football, specifically in the Spanish League, where he spent successful years with clubs such as Leganés and Sevilla. His career reached its peak with the Andalusian club, where he won the Europa League title and established himself as one of the most prominent strikers in La Liga thanks to his prolific goal-scoring ability and aerial prowess.
En-Nesyri also comes to Saudi Arabia carrying a historical legacy with his national team, as he was a key element in the historic achievement of the “Atlas Lions” in reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which reflects the amount of international experience he adds to the team.
The importance of En-Nesyri's return to Al-Ittihad's ambitions
En-Nesyri's return is of paramount importance as Al-Ittihad seeks to improve its position in the league standings and return to winning ways. The team currently sits in sixth place with 39 points, a position that falls short of the ambitions of its fans, who hope to compete for top spots that would qualify them for continental competitions. In his first five appearances for Al-Ittihad, En-Nesyri showed glimpses of his abilities, scoring three goals and providing one assist, and the fans are hoping his return will have a direct impact on the team's attacking prowess.
The match against Al-Khaleej, currently ninth with 27 points, will be a true test of En-Nesyri's readiness and the team's ability to regain its footing. A victory in this game would boost the team's position in the standings and give them a significant boost before the final stretch of the season.
