En-Nesyri's Muted Al-Ittihad Debut Sparks Fan Criticism

Moroccan international Youssef En-Nesyri has faced widespread criticism from Al-Ittihad fans following his debut for the team. This came after 'The Dean' suffered a 2-0 defeat to hosts Al-Nassr in Matchday 21 of the Roshn Saudi League.

En-Nesyri started the game, marking his first official test after his transfer to Al-Ittihad from Turkish club Fenerbahçe on a contract extending until the summer of 2028. This signing was intended to replace the unexpected departure of French star Karim Benzema, a factor that significantly raised fan expectations.

However, the Moroccan forward's performance did not meet fan expectations. He appeared isolated throughout the match, failing to create any real danger on Al-Nassr's goal, largely due to a lack of service and difficulty penetrating the opponent's defense, which left him out of the game for most periods.

Al-Ittihad fans, using social media platforms, expressed their surprise at the signing of En-Nesyri to replace Benzema, considering a comparison between the two players difficult, especially after the Moroccan striker's muted performance in his first official match. This opened the door to criticism and doubts about his ability to lead the team's attack in the upcoming period.

The technical staff is expected to give En-Nesyri further opportunities to adapt to the Saudi League environment and Al-Ittihad's system. The player himself is aware that fan pressure will be intense, particularly given the sensitive nature of this phase and the team's declining results this season.