Koller blames dense schedule for Ahly’s sole league loss to Pyramids FC

Ahmed Abd El Rasoul , Monday 24 Jul 2023

Ahly coach Marcel Koller has blamed the dense schedule for receiving the first loss of the season in the Egyptian Premier League on Sunday.

Koller
Ahly coach Marcel Koller, Ahly s official website

 

The reigning champions were stunned by Pyramids FC 3-0 in the 30 June Stadium.

“It is normal after playing a large number of games that players lose their mental and physical fitness. Players need to rest,” Koller said in the press conference after the game.

“No team in Egypt or Africa had played the same number of matches Ahly played this season. I can’t put more pressure on the players. Football officials in Egypt must understand that players need the rest or we will lose them,” the Swiss tactician added.

Sunday’s result had no effect on the Reds’ status as Ahly have already secured the league title two weeks ago. Pyramids FC are second with 73 points, nine points behind the leaders who have played one game less.

“We got all the titles that we competed for this season. The league ended and we were crowned with the title with nine points,” Koller said.

During the 10-month spell of the 62-year-old Swiss tactician, Ahly have won all the titles they competed for so far, including two Super Cup titles, Egypt Cup, the African Champions League, and finally securing a record-extending 43rd league title with the team still having four matches in hand.

Pyramids FC's win on Sunday is the biggest ever against Ahly. koller admitted that the opponent was the better side in the game.

“We defeated them in every game this season and they only won today... They didn’t win a title or even get closer on the points level. They played better and they are happy for that,” the Ahly coach concluded.

Ahly's season is far from over. The team plans to contest the Egypt Cup, in addition to the upcoming Egyptian Super Cup 2023 and the African Super Cup 2023.

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