Photo Credit: Al Ahly SC
Al Ahly were held to a goalless draw against Al Bank Al Ahly in their Round 4 match of the Egyptian Premier League (Nile League). After the match, Al Ahly head coach Marcel Koller expressed his disappointment with the team's inability to finish chances in comments reported on Al Ahly's official website.
He emphasized that the coaching staff is continuously working on addressing the team’s mistakes and making the most of opportunities, despite the pressure of a congested schedule.
On the match performance
"We were not successful in finishing our attacks during the match," said Koller. "The coaching staff is consistently working on correcting these mistakes and making better use of our chances, even though time is limited due to the fixture congestion."
First half struggles
Koller admitted that the team did not perform as expected in the first half, but made efforts to regain control and intensity in the second half. "We tried to restore our performance, control, and pressure in the second half," he added.
On creating space
The coach noted that Al Ahly struggled to create enough space during the match. "Had we scored a goal, the result might have been different, as Al Bank Al Ahly would have been forced to push forward. However, their defensive strength prevented us from reaching the goal as we hoped."
Comment on playing at Al-Salam Stadium
Regarding playing at Al-Salam Stadium, Koller stated, "The stadium is not an excuse for any failure. I know we will be playing matches there this season, and our focus remains on the technical aspects. This is what I communicated to the players before the match."
Standings after the match
The draw left Al Ahly with 8 points, maintaining their position at the top of the Egyptian Premier League table temporarily. Al Bank Al Ahly, on the other hand, earned their second point, placing them in 16th position.
Table: Egyptian Premier League top 8
Games Played | Points | |
| 4 | 8 |
| 3 | 7 |
| 3 | 7 |
| 4 | 7 |
| 4 | 7 |
| 4 | 7 |
| 3 | 6 |
| 4 | 5 |
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