Wydad coach unfazed by facing Ahly in Champions League final

Ahram Online , Tuesday 23 May 2023

Wydad de Casablanca coach, Sven Vandenbroeck, believes that facing Ahly in the Champions League final will be easier than their semifinal against South African side Sundowns.

Wydad s Belgian head coach Sven Vandenbroeck. AFP
Wydad s Belgian head coach Sven Vandenbroeck. AFP


Despite being held to a goalless draw at home in the first leg, Wydad progressed to the final on the away goal rule after a 2-2 draw in the second leg in Pretoria last week.

The defending champions will now face Ahly in a repeat of the 2022 final, which saw Wydad win 2-0 in Rabat.

Despite Ahly's desire for revenge, Vandenbroeck is confident that his side can play better in the final.

"It’s the same final as last year, so I can imagine Al Ahly want revenge over Wydad," Vandenbroeck said.

"But I think it will be an even more balanced game than this semifinal because Sundowns dominated.

Against Ahly, I think we can play more of our own game. I know them well."

The Belgian coach took charge of the Moroccan side earlier this month after the sacking of Spanish boss Juan Carlos Garrido due to the team's insufficient results in the domestic league and their shaky performance in the Champions League, which saw them progress to the semifinals at the expense of Simba of Tanzania on penalties in the quarters.

Wydad are currently second in the league table with 53 points, just one point behind leaders AS FAR.

The Champions League final will be played over two legs, with Ahly hosting the first leg in Cairo on the 4 th of June, with the second leg taking place in Morocco a week later.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

 
 

 

Short link: