Al-Ittihad's manager Jens Wissing rejected Ange Postecoglou's post-match assessment following his side's commanding 2-1 victory over Al-Nassr in the fifth round of the Roshn Saudi Pro League. The Al-Nassr boss had claimed that Al-Ittihad's threat was limited to the opening 15 minutes, suggesting his team created better opportunities thereafter. Wissing was quick to counter that narrative with a detailed breakdown of his tactical approach.
Tactical Adjustments Made the Difference
The German coach emphasized that Al-Ittihad did far more than simply defend their lead. Rather than passive resistance, Wissing implemented strategic changes designed to neutralize Al-Nassr's attacking threat. "We tried to organise the team through the substitutions, and we played with 5 defenders to reduce the crosses," he explained, highlighting a calculated shift to a five-man defensive line that disrupted Al-Nassr's crossing game.
Wissing also pointed to the dramatic improvement his squad has shown since their previous fixture against Al-Qadsiah. "Today's match is different from the match against Al-Qadsiah," he noted. "Since that match we have developed a great deal tactically and mentally, and what I saw in terms of tactics and spirit was something wonderful." This progression demonstrated that Al-Ittihad's defensive solidity was born from growing tactical maturity rather than luck.
Early Dominance and Missed Opportunities
Wissing challenged Postecoglou's assertion by referencing Al-Ittihad's strong start. In the opening 35 minutes, his team controlled proceedings and converted twice, though they were punished by a late Al-Nassr goal before halftime. He argued that Al-Ittihad could have scored more in that dominant spell, suggesting their first-half performance deserved greater recognition than Postecoglou had afforded it. The manager acknowledged that clinical finishing on the counter-attack remained an area for improvement, saying: "We were not clinical in the counter-attacks we created."
The victory underscores Al-Ittihad's growing defensive discipline in Saudi Pro League competition, a hallmark of Wissing's coaching philosophy. As the campaign progresses, the German tactician will hope his side can combine that defensive foundation with sharper attacking execution in matches ahead.
