Al Ahly’s first-team football squad is fully focused on the upcoming match against Smouha, scheduled for next Thursday in the third round of the Egyptian Premier League, with particular attention being paid to Emam Ashour and several players the coaching staff is working to prepare during the coming days. ⚽🔥
Al Ahly enter the match with high morale after collecting maximum points from their opening two games, but Hussein Amouta, the team’s head coach, understands that maintaining the winning run requires preparing the entire squad rather than relying on a limited group of players.
Emam Ashour Nears His Return ⭐
Emam Ashour’s status is among the main issues occupying the coaching staff ahead of the Smouha match, particularly as the player approaches full readiness to feature for the team.
According to the available information, Ashour is now close to entering Al Ahly’s plans against Smouha, provided he does not suffer any new injury during the coming days.
The coaching staff dealt with the player cautiously during the previous period, choosing not to rush his return before ensuring that he had reached the physical and technical level required to participate without taking unnecessary risks.
Ashour’s return would give the coaching staff additional options in midfield, particularly because the player possesses attacking qualities that allow him to move close to the penalty area, contribute to creating chances, and press opponents.
Delphi Friendly Helps Prepare the Players ⚽
Al Ahly’s coaching staff arranged a friendly match against Delphi at Mokhtar El-Tetsh Stadium in order to maintain the readiness of players who did not receive enough playing time against ZED.
The friendly is part of a comprehensive plan to prepare the entire squad, particularly because the season is still in its early stages and Al Ahly will need as many physically and technically ready players as possible as the competition continues.
Among the players who received an opportunity to feature were Emam Ashour, Achraf Dari, Ahmed Eid, Yasser Ibrahim, and several other players.
These minutes are particularly important for players returning from absences because they help them gradually regain their rhythm and approach the required level of readiness for official matches.
Amouta Does Not Want to Risk Ashour 📢
Hussein Amouta is dealing cautiously with Emam Ashour’s return, particularly because the player represents an important part of his technical plans. Therefore, using him before he is fully ready could create an unnecessary risk.
The main objective of Ashour’s appearance in the Delphi friendly appears to be evaluating his condition on the pitch and determining whether he can handle match conditions without experiencing any negative effects.
If his appearance proves positive and the player does not feel any pain or physical problems, his chances of being included in Al Ahly’s squad for the Smouha match will be strong.
However, the decision over whether he starts will remain linked to the coaching staff’s assessment and the player’s condition during the final training sessions, making the coming days crucial in determining his role against Smouha.
Special Program Ahead of the Smouha Match 🔥
After completing the Delphi friendly, Al Ahly players were given a day off to recover and overcome the effects of fatigue caused by the demanding schedule of matches and training sessions.
The team will resume training on Monday at Mokhtar El-Tetsh Stadium, beginning the final stage of preparations for the Smouha clash.
Al Ahly are scheduled to train on Monday and Tuesday before holding their final training session on Wednesday, followed by the announcement of the squad and entry into a closed camp ahead of Thursday’s match.
This schedule gives the coaching staff an opportunity to closely monitor the condition of the players, particularly those who featured in the friendly, before making the final decisions regarding the squad and starting lineup.
Al Ahly Enter the Smouha Match with Six Points 🏆
Al Ahly hold a clear psychological advantage ahead of the Smouha clash after collecting six points from their opening two matches.
The team opened its campaign with a 3-2 victory over Eastern Company, in a match where Al Ahly fell two goals behind before completing the comeback and securing the win.
The team then looked more stable in the second round against ZED and secured a 2-0 victory, confirming its ability to collect points despite the different circumstances of the matches.
Despite the perfect start in terms of results, Amouta understands that the team still needs to improve several technical aspects, particularly defensive stability and the speed of transition from defense to attack.
Competition Requires Everyone to Be Ready ✨
The coaching staff does not want Al Ahly’s strength to depend only on the regular starters, which is why friendly matches and current training sessions are part of a plan to keep every player ready.
As the season continues and the fixture schedule becomes more demanding, Al Ahly’s ability to rotate players without affecting the team’s level will be an important factor in the club’s pursuit of titles.
The return of players such as Emam Ashour also gives the coaching staff greater flexibility in selecting the lineup and dealing with different match situations.
Will Emam Ashour Return Against Smouha?
All eyes are now on Emam Ashour’s status, particularly after his appearance in the Delphi friendly and his progress toward returning to official competition.
While Al Ahly are looking to secure a third consecutive victory, Amouta is searching for the lineup that is best prepared and capable of executing his ideas without risking any player who has not yet reached full fitness.
Will the Smouha match be the gateway for Emam Ashour’s official return to Al Ahly matches? 🤔🔴
Share your opinion: Should Ashour start the match, or would Amouta be better off introducing him as a substitute? ⚽🔥
