Wijnaldum starts for Al-Ittihad against Al-Ettifaq, En-Nesyri on bench

Al-Ittihad head coach Jens Vissing has included Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum in the starting lineup for Tuesday’s Saudi Pro League match against Al-Ettifaq, alongside forwards George Elinikena and Steven Bergwijn, while Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri begins on the bench.

Attention is focused on Vissing’s attacking choices for the match hosted by Al-Ettifaq, as Al-Ittihad looks to regain momentum after a difficult run of three games without a win. The team recently lost 3-2 to Al-Hilal in the league, drew 1-1 with Al-Shamal of Qatar, and suffered a 2-1 defeat to Shabab Al-Ahli of the UAE in the AFC Champions League.

Al-Ittihad’s defense features Fares Abdi, Danilo Pereira, Saad Al-Mousa, and Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti, as the team aims to return to winning ways and secure all three points.

Al-Ittihad enters the match with 17 points, while Al-Ettifaq sits seventh in the table with 15 points. Al-Ittihad currently occupies fourth place in the league standings. 

Al-Ittihad starting lineup vs Al-Ettifaq: 

Goalkeeper: Predrag Rajkovic 

Defenders: Fares Abdi, Danilo Pereira, Saad Al-Mousa, Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti 

Midfielders: Mukhtar Ali, Richard Rios, Hossam Awar 

Forwards: Georginio Wijnaldum, George Elinikena, Steven Bergwijn