File Photo: Ahly coach Marcel Koller. AL Ahly Official Website
The Cairo giants are due to host their Algerian counterparts in the in the third round of the CAF Champions League group stage.
“I hope that the club fans will be heavily filling the stands during Sunday’s game as the current period needs fans’ support,” the Swiss coach said in the pre-match press conference on Saturday.
“We will be facing a strong opponent. We met twice last season and both games ended in draw; a fact that reflects how important is tomorrow’s game,” the 64-year old coach added.
Sunday’s match was originally scheduled for last week but was postponed due to the team’s participation in the Intercontinental Cup.
Against CR Belouizdad Ahly will be seeking a moral win after losing their 6-5 shootout defeat to Mexico's Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup semifinal last week.
Koller stressed that his team got the needed preparation, promising the club fans with a pleasant result.
“Both the players and the technical staff were upset after Pachuca game but we had enough time to prepare well for the Champions League game. We will do our best to win and please our fans,” the Ahly coach explained.
The coach also said that his team is working hard to overcome the problem of missing scoring chances that was repeated recently.
“Creating scoring chances is pleasant for me but my true happiness comes when these chances turn into real goals. I hope that we will be lucky enough against CR Belouizdad,” he concluded.
Ahly opened their campaign at the Champions league group stage with a 4-2 win over Cote d'Ivoire’s Stade d’Abidjan before securing a 0-0 draw against Orlando Pirates of South Africa.
The Reds currently sit second in Group C with four points, one point ahead of third-placed CR Belouizdad.
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