Ahead of the Zamalek Derby.. How Will Al Ahly Use the League Break? 🔴⚽
Al Ahly’s first-team football squad will resume training tomorrow, Monday, at the Mokhtar El-Tetsh Stadium after the players’ rest period, as the team prepares for an important stage of the season led by the highly anticipated Zamalek clash in the sixth round of the Egyptian Premier League.
Al Ahly are scheduled to face Petrojet? Wait user says Petrol Asyut in the Egyptian League Cup. Need preserve: Petro Asyut = Petrol Asyut. Let's correct in final. Need not show this analysis. Continue.
Al Ahly will face Petrol Asyut in the group stage of the Egyptian League Cup on October 8, before taking on Zamalek in the Egyptian football derby on October 11, a match receiving significant attention inside the club.
Head coach Hussein Ammouta is treating the break as an opportunity to reorganize the squad, review a number of issues that emerged during the opening five league rounds and begin planning for the demands of the next stage.
Three Friendly Matches to Rebuild Al Ahly’s Readiness 🏆
The Al Ahly coaching staff are preparing an initial plan to play three friendly matches during the current break, with the possibility of adding more games depending on Ammouta’s assessment and the players’ needs.
The coaching staff want to use these matches to maintain the squad’s physical and technical readiness, while giving greater opportunities to players who have not received enough minutes and preparing those returning from injury.
The friendlies will also provide a chance to test different formations and tactical approaches before competitive action resumes, especially with several important fixtures approaching.
The Zamalek derby is at the top of that list, alongside preparations for Al Ahly’s continental campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Defense.. The Most Urgent Issue on Ammouta’s Desk 🛡️
The center-back position is expected to be one of the main areas Ammouta will focus on during the break, particularly after several setbacks affecting Al Ahly’s defensive line.
Amr El-Gazzar is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering an ACL injury, while other defensive players have also dealt with injuries or absences.
That situation has led to repeated changes and prevented the coaching staff from settling on a consistent defensive partnership in recent matches.
Ammouta is therefore expected to use the upcoming friendly games to assess the available players and identify the best defensive combination ahead of the derby.
Matches between Al Ahly and Zamalek demand a high level of concentration and coordination, making defensive stability a key priority during the break.
A New Opportunity for Players Outside the Regular Rotation 🔄
The coaching staff are also paying close attention to players who have not received regular playing time since the beginning of the season, as well as those who have recently returned from injury.
Ammouta plans to give this group more opportunities during training sessions and friendly matches in order to assess their technical and physical condition and make clearer decisions about their roles in the next phase.
The Petrol Asyut match represents one of the important opportunities in this process, with the coaching staff expected to give playing time to several substitutes and players who have not featured regularly, while also involving some of those returning from injury.
The coaching staff are also expected to use Hamza Alaa in goal during the match, as part of the plan to give opportunities to players who need game time to regain their match rhythm.
The Zamalek Derby Starts Now 🔥
Although Al Ahly will face Petrol Asyut before meeting Zamalek, the derby will remain a major part of the coaching staff’s calculations throughout the break.
Ammouta wants to identify the likely starting lineup for the Zamalek match early, using training sessions, friendly games and the Petrol Asyut match to address weaknesses that appeared during the first five league rounds.
The current period is particularly important for the Moroccan coach amid the criticism he has faced in recent weeks, including calls from some quarters for his departure, while Al Ahly’s management has continued to back him and give him the opportunity to carry on with his work.
As a result, the Zamalek derby represents an important test for the coaching staff, not only because it is one of the biggest matches of the season, but also because it will provide an indication of how effectively the team used the break to address its weaknesses and improve before entering a more demanding phase of the campaign. 🔴🏆
