Zamalek coach Jesualdo Ferreira. Photo: Zamalek twitter account
"We were better than Ahly today and deserved to win. We didn't start the game well but we improved after the first 25 minutes and were able to get back in the result," Ferreira told the post-match news conference.
"We lost our pace after the second goal but we wasted a few chances towards the end of the game."
Ahly grabbed an early lead via a goal from striker Mohamed Sherif but substitute and veteran schemer Mahmoud Shikabala set up Achraf Benchmark for the equaliser before scoring himself to turn the match on its ahead in the second half.
However, Ahly substitute Salah Mosen netted a late equaliser for Ahly as both sides shared honours.
"We had a lot of problems before the game because we missed a lot of players, and that's why we had to alter the positions of some players," Ferreira added.
"(Defender) Mahmoud El-Wensh and (winger) Ahmed Zizo had just played three games with the national team. I am very proud of my players and the young ones, who produced a good performance. I am not happy with the result; if you look at the chances you will find that we were better."
Ferreira had to do without a host of players, with defenders Ahmed Fattouh, Hamza Mathlouthi and Hazem Emam out through injury and Mahmoud Alaa suspended.
Midfield linchpin Tarek Hamed, who has been out since December with a knee injury, and Tunisian international striker Seifeddin Jaziri were also unavailable.
Four young players had a role to play in the high-profile derby. Sayed Abdallah started as a right winger while three others were introduced in the second half: Winger Youssef Nabih, midfielder Seif Gaafar and defender Hossam Abdel-Meguid.
"Ahly is a strong team and to beat him you must be strong and in command; what we did today makes us proud. The competition here is very difficult and we are going to play again in two days. It can't continue this way until September," Ferreira said.
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