Beitar Jerusalem Midfielder Boris Enow Faces Struggles Amidst High Expectations

Beitar Jerusalem midfielder Boris Enow, who was a standout player for the team since joining mid-2025/26, is experiencing a significant dip in form at the start of the 2026/27 season. His struggles are attributed to a combination of off-field issues, the "second season syndrome," and tactical adjustments.

Enow's difficulties began early in the season, marked by a social media controversy where he deleted and then restored posts after fan backlash, requiring intervention from teammate Almog Cohen. He also took a trip to visit his family. Despite remaining a starter, his on-field performance has declined, notably contributing to a turnover that led to a goal in Beitar's Europa Conference League exit against Austria Wien. He was also implicated in midfield errors during a heavy loss to his former club, Maccabi Netanya.

The increased expectations placed on Enow this season are seen as a major factor. Having arrived as a "savior" and filling a void in midfield, he is now expected to meet the high standard he set himself, leading to a "second season syndrome" similar to championship teams finding it harder to repeat success. Opposing teams are also reportedly preparing differently for Beitar, which has maintained offensive and defensive continuity.

Tactically, the absence of Yarin Levy, who provided defensive cover alongside Enow last season, has forced Enow into a more purely defensive role. Enow is not a natural defensive midfielder, and Levy's presence allowed him to play a more advanced role, contributing 1.4 key passes per game last season. With Beitar's fullbacks often joining the attack, Enow has had to cover more ground defensively, limiting his offensive contributions.

Potential solutions discussed include deploying a more defensively oriented midfielder alongside Enow, such as Noam Mocha or Daniel Workman, or recalling Ziv Ben Shimol, who shared duties with Levy last season. Even if Enow remains the primary defensive midfielder, allowing him more freedom to advance could help restore his confidence. The team's ability to help Enow regain his form is considered a major test for coach Almog Cohen, with the team facing a challenging start to the season.