Zamalek head coach José Peseiro expressed his happiness with his first Cairo Derby in Egypt with the White Knights, the Portuguese tactitican noting that the atmosphere was good and enthusiastic from the fans.
The Cairo Derby between Zamalek and Al Ahly ended in a 1-1 draw in Round 15 of the Nile Egyptian League.
In the post match press conference, the coach said: "Al Ahly started the first half better, and there was no real chance except for one opportunity for Al Ahly that hit the crossbar. After that, Zamalek got into the game."
He continued: "In the second half, Al Ahly started better as well, but then Zamalek managed to pose a threat to the opponent's goal, and a draw is a fair result for both teams."
Peseiro added: "Today, Zamalek played with a new tactical system for the first time, and the team needs some time to get used to it. This was the reason why the team couldn’t control the match in the first 20 minutes. However, after that, the performance improved, and Zamalek finished the match better than Al Ahly."
The head coach also stated: "This is the second time we have drawn after conceding a goal. However, in the Petrojet match, we were not awarded a penalty, and in today’s match, there was another penalty that was not given. I accept that mistakes can happen, but the referee should have reviewed the incident using VAR."
Peseiro continued: "I am not happy with the draw, but I congratulate the players on their performance. The team has a distinguished group of players capable of making a difference. I am very happy with Zamalek fans, their role with the team, and their continuous support."
The head coach added: "We have started focusing more on the defensive aspect. The players need to gain confidence. With the new playing style, we can be more effective offensively, but I need more time. I do not need new players, and I am happy with the current squad. I am also looking forward to the return of the injured players."
Regarding Dunga’s substitution, Peseiro explained: "The decision to substitute Dunga was not related to his technical performance, but rather because he had received a yellow card in the match."
The head coach also said: "The Ismailia training camp made a big difference for us because I got to know the players better, unlike the Petrojet match, where I took charge only about 48 hours before. The training camp was beneficial, and I hope to have enough time for a longer camp to train the players on my ideas."
Peseiro concluded his statements by saying: "Jefali is not unhappy; he is happy to be with Zamalek, which is one of the best African teams. The player needs some time to adapt to the team, and I know when he will be integrated into the lineup."
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