En-Nesyri Shines as Al-Ittihad Claims Top Spot in Saudi League

As the ball rolled at Al-Majma'ah Sports City, few expected the 3-1 victory over Al-Faisaly to carry such layers of meaning. But for those who have followed Al-Ittihad's journey, this was not just about three points – it was a declaration of ambition, and also a warning about the fragility of the top spot. From the 28th minute, Al-Ittihad showed the difference. Steven Bergwijn, the new signing from the Netherlands, received the ball from Richard Rios and unleashed a precise long-range shot, opening the scoring for the visitors. It was not a complex team move, but a moment of individual class – something Al-Faisaly lacked in their squad. The goal came from outside the box, showing that Al-Ittihad does not rely solely on crosses or headers, but can threaten the opponent's goal from any distance. But the real story of this match was George Ilenikhena. The young French forward, a new signing expected to replace the departed stars, had a brilliant day with two assists. In the 43rd minute, he delivered a low cross for Youssef En-Nesyri to easily tap in, doubling the lead. By the 59th minute, Ilenikhena again provided a delivery into the box for En-Nesyri to complete his brace. This third goal showed the growing understanding between the two players – one operating wide, the other as a central striker. Looking at the team structure, coach Laurent Blanc has built a diverse attacking system. Bergwijn operates on the wing, Ilenikhena moves flexibly between defensive lines, and En-Nesyri is the final destination of every ball. This is an attacking triangle with mutual support, not just a collection of talented individuals. The combination of speed, technique, and finishing ability creates a difficult puzzle for any defense in the Saudi Pro League. However, this victory was not perfect. In the 87th minute, with the score at 3-0, Al-Faisaly unexpectedly pulled one back. Bongonda executed a long-range shot that goalkeeper Rajkovic could not save. This was a rare moment of lapses in concentration from Al-Ittihad's defense, a small detail that could become a crack if this team truly wants to compete for the title. In big matches, full 90-minute concentration is a prerequisite, and conceding in the final minutes when the game is already decided is a bad habit that needs to be eliminated. Looking at the standings, Al-Ittihad is top with 17 points after 7 matches, unbeaten with 5 wins and 2 draws. Three consecutive recent wins show the team is in good form. But looking closer at the landscape, this position is not at all safe. Al-Qadsiah is trailing with just 1 point behind. More importantly, both Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr have 15 points but have played one match less. This means if they win their game in hand, their points will surpass Al-Ittihad. The current top spot for Al-Ittihad is only a temporary advantage, not a solid position. For Al-Faisaly, the situation is truly dire. With only 3 points after 7 rounds, they are 17th in the standings, just above the bottom team. This defeat is their 4th of the season, and the team is being dragged into a relegation battle early in the season. The difference in resources between the two teams is obvious – one side is a collection of stars bought from top European leagues, the other consists of players with domestic league experience. The financial disparity is not only reflected in squad quality but also in squad depth. Al-Ittihad can change the course of a match with quality substitutions, while Al-Faisaly can only rely on their current players. This is a harsh reality of modern football, where money increasingly determines on-field status. However, it must be acknowledged that Al-Ittihad did not win just because of money. They won because of a clear tactical plan, because the combination of individuals is becoming increasingly cohesive, and because they have an experienced coach like Laurent Blanc. But football is a sport of endurance, not of moments. With a congested schedule and increasingly fierce competition, maintaining this form is no small challenge. The question now is not whether Al-Ittihad can win the title, but whether they can maintain focus and hunger throughout a long season. With heavyweights like Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr waiting, and with participation in multiple competitions, the answer will be revealed in the coming months. Meanwhile, Al-Faisaly will have to find a way to lift their spirits and fight for every point, as their relegation battle has only just begun.