Zamalek enter the 2026-2027 season with major ambitions, but their opening match in the Egyptian Premier League title defense will not be easy, as several absences have complicated head coach Mo’tamed Gamal’s plans ahead of the meeting with Al Ittihad Alexandria. ⚽
The match will be played at Cairo International Stadium next Friday, marking Zamalek’s opening game of the league campaign, with fans eagerly waiting to see how the coaching staff will deal with a squad that has limited options in several positions.
The match carries additional importance because it represents Zamalek’s first official test of the new season, particularly as the team enters the competition without new reinforcements during the current transfer window, while several important players are unavailable for different reasons.
🔥 Key Absences Complicate Zamalek’s Plans
Mo’tamed Gamal faces several challenges before the match, beginning with the absence of Hossam Ashraf and Mohamed Ibrahim due to suspensions resulting from accumulated yellow cards from last season, reducing the options available to the coaching staff at the start of the campaign.
There are also doubts surrounding Juan Bezerra’s availability amid his current dispute with Zamalek and his desire to leave the club, despite the fact that the player was one of the team’s influential attacking elements last season. His potential absence could create a noticeable gap in Zamalek’s attacking threat on the wings.
The participation of Abdullah El-Saeed and Chico Banza also remains uncertain due to their incomplete fitness after returning late to preseason preparations. Meanwhile, Nasser Mansi’s involvement is still in doubt after he missed the first two friendly matches and only made a short appearance against Modern Sport.
⭐ Mo’tamed Gamal Searches for Solutions Within the Squad
Under these circumstances, Mo’tamed Gamal will be required to make the best possible use of the available players and rely on tactical flexibility rather than waiting for new solutions from the transfer market.
One of the most notable solutions tested during preseason has been the use of Ahmed Fattouh in central midfield. The player has previously occupied the position and could give the coaching staff greater flexibility in building attacks and moving between the lines.
However, using Fattouh in midfield also carries another consequence, as it removes one of Zamalek’s most important options from the left flank, potentially forcing the coaching staff to make additional changes to the distribution of roles.
⚽ Expected Changes in Zamalek’s Attack
The potential absence of Bezerra presents the coaching staff with a clear attacking challenge, especially given the player’s ability to create chances and exploit spaces.
Zamalek are expected to rely on Ahmed Sherif and Ahmed Esho on the wings, with Adi El-Dabbagh operating as the central striker, in an attempt to provide greater pace and energy in the attacking third.
The trio will need to exploit the spaces behind Al Ittihad’s defense while varying their attacking methods rather than relying exclusively on wing play, particularly if the Alexandria side adopts a compact defensive approach.
📋 Expected Zamalek Lineup Against Al Ittihad
Zamalek are expected to start the match with:
Goalkeeper: El Mahdy Soliman.
Defense: Mahmoud Bentayg, Mahmoud Hamdy “El Wensh,” Mohamed Ismail, Omar Gaber.
Midfield: Ahmed Fattouh, Mohamed Shehata, Mohamed El-Sayed.
Attack: Ahmed Sherif, Adi El-Dabbagh, Ahmed Esho.
The starting lineup could still change depending on the players’ physical and technical condition before kickoff.
🏆 Zamalek Want a Confidence-Boosting Start
Zamalek understand that winning the opening match would represent more than just three points, as it would provide the team and coaching staff with an important morale boost under the current circumstances.
Al Ittihad Alexandria, meanwhile, could attempt to take advantage of the uncertainty surrounding Zamalek by adopting an organized defensive approach and relying on counterattacks in search of a positive result against the defending champions.
Zamalek have a clear historical advantage in their league meetings with Al Ittihad, having recorded 74 victories compared with only 9 wins for the Alexandria club, while 26 matches have ended in draws.
Zamalek have also scored 184 goals against Al Ittihad, while conceding 59. Their most recent league defeat against the Alexandria side came in the 2017-2018 season, when they lost 2-1.
Since that match, the two teams have met 14 times in the league, with Zamalek recording 11 victories and three draws without suffering a defeat.
Their most recent meeting last season ended with Zamalek winning 1-0 at Cairo International Stadium.
Ultimately, the Al Ittihad match represents an early and genuine test of Mo’tamed Gamal’s ability to manage difficult circumstances and deal with key absences. Can Zamalek overcome the difficult start and collect their first three points in their title defense campaign? Share your prediction for the result and the lineup you believe Zamalek should use. 🏆🔥
