Jens Wissing Hits Back at Ange Postecoglou After Al-Ittihad’s 2-1 Win Over Al-Nassr

Al-Ittihad head coach Jens Wissing hit back at Al-Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou after his side sealed a 2-1 victory in the Clasico in round five of the Roshn Saudi Pro League. Postecoglou claimed after the match that Al-Ittihad only impressed in the first 15 minutes and insisted Al-Nassr were the better team with more chances. Wissing disagreed. "I want to be sure of that first. Everyone saw what we did, and we were not clinical in the counter-attacks we created. What we did on the pitch everyone can see," Wissing said. The German coach explained that his team did not simply defend their lead. He made clear tactical changes to deal with Al-Nassr’s pressure. "We tried to organise the team through the substitutions, and we played with five defenders to reduce the crosses," he said. Wissing also stressed how much Al-Ittihad had improved since their previous match against Al-Qadsiah. "Today’s match is different from the match against Al-Qadsiah. Since that match we have developed a great deal tactically and mentally. What I saw in terms of tactics and spirit was wonderful," he said. He felt Al-Ittihad should have scored more during an excellent opening spell. "In the first 35 minutes we played a wonderful match. We scored two goals and could have scored more than that. Al-Nassr snatched a goal from us in the first half," Wissing added. The verbal clash added extra spice to an already intense Saudi Clasico, with Wissing making it clear that results and tactical discipline matter more than ball control.