Preview: Zamalek seek to catch Ahly on top of Egyptian league

Ahram Online , Wednesday 28 Dec 2022

Zamalek will be looking to take full advantage of Ahly's latest stumble when they host struggling Ismaily in the Egyptian Premier League on Thursday.

Zamalek v Ismaily
File photo of an Egyptian Premier League game between Zamalek and Ismaily (Ahram)

 

Ahly were held to a second successive draw following a 1-1 stalemate with Ceramica Cleopatra on Wednesday, giving Zamalek a chance to pull level on points with them on top.

Zamalek are also seeking to return to winning ways after a 0-0 draw with Arab Contractors in their previous game had ended a four-match winning run.

They still struggle for openings against tight defences, having failed to make up for last season's departure of talented Moroccan winger Achraf Bencharki.

Zamalek's veteran coach Jesualdo Ferreira, the mastermind of a stunning league triumph last season, has not yet settled on his ideal starting line-up this term.

He was criticised by a section of Zamalek fans for keeping faith with several underperforming players, including right-back Omar Gaber and strikers Youssef Hassan and Seifeddine Jaziri, but he is adamant he can find the right formula.

Zamalek are ovwehelming favourites to overcome an Ismaily side that languish at the bottom of the table with six points from nine games.

Ismaily are Egypt's third-most successful team but they have struggled in recent seasons, with mounting financial problems making matters worse.

They have named former Egypt striker Mido as their new boss as they bid to rescue their season and avoid the unthinkable prospect of being relegated to the second division.

Mido will make his first appearance in the Ismaily dugout against boyhood club Zamalek, where he started his playing career in the early 2000s before embarking on a long journey in European football that took him to the likes of Ajax Amsterdam and Tottenham Hotspur.

Zamalek are still missing winger Mostafa Shalabi and Senegalese forward Ibrahima Ndiaye due to injuries. Gaber was also left out of the team's squad for the Ismaily game.

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