Zamalek head coach, Portuguese José Peseiro, held a press conference to discuss the upcoming match against Al Ahly in the Nile Egyptian League.
Al Ahly will face Zamalek on Tuesday at 7:30 PM GMT in the first round of the league’s decisive title phase, which consists of nine rounds. Each team will play eight matches in a group comprising the top nine teams from the first phase of the competition.
Peseiro said: "I understand the importance of the Zamalek vs. Al Ahly match. Every player wants to participate in this game and enjoy the match. We are preparing with maximum focus and commitment. We must have the right spirit and I believe the atmosphere will be better in this match, especially with the fans returning to the stadium. We aim to make our supporters happy, and we will fight to win."
The head coach continued: "Our opponent has had more rest than Zamalek, especially since my team played 120 minutes against Modern Sport in the Egypt Cup. The players who took part in that match underwent recovery training, and I am working to avoid any further injuries in the squad."
Peseiro added: "In the Modern Sport match, I made a substitution by bringing on Mahmoud Hamdy El-Wensh instead of Salah Mosadek, after Hossam Abdelmaguid had already played one half in the match against ENPPI. Additionally, Mahmoud Ben Taleb felt slight pain and was substituted against Modern Sport to rest him, while Omar Gaber continued the match normally."
The Portuguese coach explained that when he decides to rest some players, he rotates the squad, and any player given a chance must seize it. He emphasized that Zamalek could have settled the Modern Sport match in regular time without going into extra time, but the team expended a lot of energy in the game. He granted the players a one-day break for physical and mental recovery due to the tight match schedule.
The Portuguese coach revealed: "I need to assess the team's situation and the players' condition before the derby, both in training and meetings, to determine the starting lineup. I have a playing strategy in mind, but it will depend on the players' readiness and condition."
Peseiro continued: "Zamalek enters the derby aiming to win. It is a tough match, and we want to improve in certain areas we did not execute well in the previous game. Small details and minor mistakes decide these encounters, and we want to avoid errors while maintaining balance. We know that Al Ahly has had more rest, but we will compete and work to secure victory. However, I must deal with the league schedule, even though we would have preferred to get adequate rest before the match."
About the goalkeepers, he said: "Zamalek has top-quality goalkeepers and I do not see any goalkeeper making mistakes that led to goals. Mohamed Awad and Mohamed Sobhi have the ability to play for Zamalek and I have full confidence in them."
He continued: "(The goalkeepers) can perform at their best, but I believe my team should not allow any opponent to create as many chances as Modern Sport did in the last game."
Peseiro concluded: "I am happy with the fans returning to matches, as they constantly support the team. I urge them to be cautious and avoid any sanctions."
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