Ahly have stated that Thursday's Egyptian Premier League match against Ittihad of Alexandria will be tough.

"The team is ready for Alexandria and will play to win," caretaker coach Fathi Mabrouk told the club's official website.

Football director Wael Gomaa echoed the manager, insisting that Ahly is performing well despite Sunday's 1-0 loss to Haras El-Hodoud.

"We delivered a good performance despite all the missing injured players, but the Ittihad game will be difficult as they want to avoid the danger of relegation," Gomaa said.

The Red Devils had to do without six players against Hodoud, with Walid Soliman, Moemen Zakareya, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Sabri Rahil and Hussein El-Sayed all ruled out with injuries, while defender Saad Samir was suspended.

Although hopes of winning their ninth successive trophy are starting to fade, Ahly remains third in the table with 55 points, 11 behind first-placed Zamalek who have a game in hand, while Ittihad of Alexandria are ninth with 43 points.

The coastal club is currently managed by former Ahly striker Hossam Hassan, whose games against Ahly always promise to be tough and full of enthusiasm. Ittihad stunned the title holders with a 1-4 win in the first leg in December.

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