Zamalek Swiss coach Christian Gross looks on during his side's 0-0 draw against Hassania Agadir of Morocco in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final in Agadir, Morocco on April 7, 2019. Photo: Zamalek's official Facebook page
Zamalek's Swiss manager Christian Gross has said that his side used appropriate tactics during a goalless draw against Hassania Agadir of Morocco in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals in Agadir Sunday.
"We did not play in a fully defensive way. We performed well and the way of playing suited the nature of the game," the 64-year-old tactician told a press conference after the encounter.
During the game, Zamalek seemed to be happy to stay in their areas and defend in numbers. However, the White Knights could still have snatched a win when they broke forward in the game's dying minutes, but Youssef Obama's effort from a rare counter attack was saved by keeper Abderrahman El-Hoausli.
Suspended key midfielder Ferjani Sassi was replaced by Mahmoud Abdelaziz, whose performance was hailed by Gross after the game.
"Abdelaziz did well in the midfield, along with Tarek Hamed, and in the second leg we will have back the players who were absent," Gross added.
Sassi, who has been Zamalek's talisman since the start of the season, will be ready to boost the team when the Cairo giants receive Hassania Agadir in the second leg on Sunday.
Zamalek will also welcome back Moroccan striker Hamid Ahadad, who did not feature in the first leg due to suspension, as well as winger Mahmoud Kahraba who was suffering from an injury.
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