Ferrera after Al Ahly defeat: We deserved more than just a loss
Zamalek’s head coach, Belgian Yannick Ferrera, expressed his disappointment following his team’s 2-1 defeat to Al Ahly on Monday evening in the 9th round of the Egyptian Premier League.
Ferrera stated that his team delivered solid spells during the match but failed to capitalize on their dominance, allowing Al Ahly to come back and seal the win.

Strong start, but no payoff
In his analysis of the match, Ferrera stressed that Zamalek started off stronger, saying:
“We were clearly the better side in the first 10 minutes. We created two dangerous chances, but unfortunately, we couldn't finish them.”
He added that missing early chances had a direct impact on the rhythm of the game, as Al Ahly gradually found their footing.
“Scoring early would have changed the entire dynamic of the match,” he noted. “But we lacked that clinical touch in front of goal — something we must work on in training.”

Unjustified retreat after taking the lead
Ferrera pointed to a key turning point — Zamalek’s unexpected drop in intensity after scoring the opening goal. Instead of building on their momentum, the team retreated, giving Al Ahly space to press.
“After the goal, we lost our grip and backed off too much,” he said. “This gave Al Ahly the upper hand in midfield and allowed them to put us under sustained pressure.”
He clarified that this passive approach was not part of the tactical plan, but rather a mental lapse from the players — something that must be addressed, especially in high-stakes matches.

Wasted chances and poor timing
Discussing the second half, Ferrera revealed that Zamalek attempted to apply more pressure, and came close to doubling their lead. However, a crucial missed chance became a turning point.
“If we had scored our second goal early in the second half, things could’ve been very different,” he said. “But we weren't clinical, and shortly after that miss, Al Ahly equalized and quickly took the lead.”
He admitted that the timing of Al Ahly’s goals disrupted his tactical plans. “We were preparing to bring on El Wensh and switch to a back three before their first goal, but the sudden shift in momentum forced us to rethink.”

Late offensive changes and missed equalizer
After falling behind, Ferrera made several offensive substitutions in the final 10 minutes to try and salvage a result.
He noted that Zamalek came very close to scoring, especially with a shot that hit the crossbar.
“Luck wasn’t on our side in the crucial moments, despite the players’ effort to come back,” he said.

Striker rotation and future for Seifeddine Jaziri
On the team’s attacking options, Ferrera explained that Zamalek has four capable strikers, and the staff evaluates them before each match.
“Seifeddine Jaziri is performing well, just like the rest of our forwards,” he commented. “We assess who best fits each game plan — and Jaziri may feature more in the coming matches.”

Learning from mistakes and building consistency
Ferrera acknowledged that the team is still in the process of shaping its footballing identity, emphasizing that each match — win or lose — is a learning experience.
“After the draw with Al Mokawloon, we bounced back with two wins. The same happened after the Wadi Degla loss,” he said. “We hoped to repeat that pattern after today, but it wasn’t meant to be.”
He assured fans that work is ongoing to improve team cohesion and correct the issues exposed during the derby.

Respecting the opponent and looking ahead
In closing, Ferrera praised Al Ahly’s performance, describing them as a strong side with an organized attacking style and high-caliber players.
“We faced a quality opponent. We should have managed pressure moments better,” he admitted.
Ferrera confirmed that the technical staff has already started preparing for the next fixture:
“There’s no time to dwell on defeat. We’ll return to training with focus and determination. Every match is a step forward in our journey to improve and compete at the highest level.”

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