Although Al Ahly managed to secure a victory in the opening round of the Egyptian Premier League, their start did not go without criticism, with sports critic Fathi Sanad believing that the team produced an inconsistent performance and exposed several problems that require quick intervention from head coach Hussein Ammouta. ⚽🔥
The criticism comes as Al Ahly seek to build a strong team capable of competing for every major trophy, particularly because the beginning of the season represents an important opportunity to establish the playing style and tactical foundations the team will rely on in the coming period.
Fathi Sanad: Al Ahly’s Start Was Shaky
Fathi Sanad described Al Ahly’s start to the new season as shaky, pointing out that signs of instability were visible from the very first match.
The sports critic believes that the team did not provide the level expected given the huge expectations surrounding the club, whether in terms of organization or its ability to manage the flow of the match, which placed the team under pressure that could have been avoided through better execution of key details.
For a team that regularly competes for trophies, simply winning is not enough to judge the quality of the start, because performance levels and tactical stability are important indicators of whether the team can remain competitive. 🏆
Reservations Over Hussein Ammouta’s Lineup
Sanad explained that he was not fully convinced by Hussein Ammouta’s lineup at the beginning of the match, believing that the initial selections did not provide the required balance.
Lineup decisions are among the most important choices a coach makes before any match because they determine the team’s shape and its ability to implement tactical ideas from the opening minutes.
At Al Ahly, Ammouta will need to identify the lineup that best suits the players’ qualities in the coming matches, particularly with several players competing for starting positions.
Defensive Gaps Raise Concerns
The defensive side was one of the main areas highlighted by Fathi Sanad, after he pointed to clear gaps in Al Ahly’s defense during the match.
Defensive errors can become a major concern for any team targeting trophies because allowing opponents space and opportunities can prove costly against stronger sides capable of punishing organizational mistakes.
For this reason, fixing these issues will be among the coaching staff’s priorities, especially because upcoming opponents may possess greater quality and a stronger ability to exploit defensive weaknesses.
The Victory Does Not Hide the Problems
Despite the criticism, Al Ahly successfully opened their league campaign with a victory, giving the team an opportunity to work on its mistakes without the additional pressure that comes from dropping points.
However, an early-season win can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it provides confidence, but on the other, it can make certain problems appear less serious than they actually are.
This is where Ammouta’s role becomes crucial in analyzing the match carefully and learning from the mistakes before they are repeated in upcoming fixtures. ⭐
Ammouta Faces an Important Test in Round Two
The upcoming clash against ZED will represent an early test for Hussein Ammouta, particularly because the match gives him an opportunity to adjust both the lineup and playing style based on what emerged in the opening round.
The coaching staff will be expected to improve defensive organization, increase coordination between the lines, and raise attacking efficiency and chance conversion.
The ability to manage the game tactically will also be important, particularly if Al Ahly face an opponent that closes spaces and relies on quick transitions.
Al Ahly vs ZED Match Time
Al Ahly are preparing to face ZED in the second round of the Egyptian Premier League, with the match taking place at Cairo International Stadium at 8 p.m. Cairo time.
The team enters the game aiming for a second consecutive victory, which would provide an important psychological boost and demonstrate that the team can respond to criticism through stronger results and performances. 📢
However, the most important issue will be the team’s overall performance and whether the coaching staff can correct the problems exposed in the opening match.
Ammouta’s First Official Match
The opening-round match against ENPPI was Hussein Ammouta’s first official game in charge of Al Ahly, making it too early to issue a final judgment on his coaching project.
A tactical change requires time before a coach’s influence becomes fully visible, particularly when a new manager is attempting to establish his style with a squad featuring players of different profiles and experiences.
It is natural for some problems to appear at the beginning of a new coaching project. The important thing is how quickly those issues are identified and corrected before becoming recurring problems.
Al Ahly Need Stability
Al Ahly have a strong squad offering the coaching staff many options, but that also creates the challenge of identifying the players who work best together.
Tactical and lineup stability can help players develop confidence and understand their roles more effectively, while constant changes could delay the team’s progress toward the desired structure.
Ammouta will therefore need to find the right balance between testing different options and maintaining a core group capable of building the required chemistry. 🏆
The Title Race Begins Early
Al Ahly cannot afford to waste too much time because the league title race begins from the opening round, and every point could prove valuable at the end of the campaign.
The team is also entering a long season that will require careful management of injuries, fatigue, and fixture congestion, making the development of stable physical and technical levels one of the main priorities.
For this reason, the ZED match will provide a genuine opportunity to assess how well the players respond to the coaching staff’s instructions and whether visible improvement can be seen compared with the opening game.
Will Al Ahly Change Their Shape Against ZED?
The main question is whether Hussein Ammouta can turn the lessons from the first game into clear improvements on the pitch.
Al Ahly supporters are not simply waiting for more victories. They also want to see a more organized and balanced team, particularly in defense, along with greater control over the tempo of matches.
Ultimately, despite winning the opening round, Fathi Sanad’s comments highlight the need to review Al Ahly’s performance, particularly because of the defensive concerns and questions over the lineup. The ZED match will be an opportunity to determine whether the team can correct its mistakes and deliver a more convincing performance. 🔥⚽
Can Al Ahly produce a better display against ZED and secure a second consecutive victory? Can Ammouta quickly fix the defensive weaknesses? Share your predictions and opinion on Al Ahly’s start under their new head coach. 🏆
