Preview: Ahly in final test ahead of Champions League final

Ahram Online , Sunday 28 May 2023

Domestic league leaders Ahly are set to face Ceramica Cleopatra in a delayed league game at Cairo Stadium on Monday, bringing an end to their preparations for the Champions League final against Moroccan side Wydad de Casablanca.

Ahly
Ahly s Midfielder Amr El-Solia prepares to shoot the ball during the match with Talae El Gaish on Friday 26 May, 2023. Photo courtesy of Al-Ahly Facebook page.

 

Ahly will host Wydad de Casablanca in the first leg of the Champions League final on Sunday 4 th June at Cairo Stadium, with the second leg taking place in Casablanca one week later.

After securing their place in the competition's semis, Ahly returned to the local scene after more than a month's hiatus due to their continental commitments.

They played a couple of games against Enppi and Talae El-Geish, respectively, winning both games with the same 2-0 result.

Theoretically, Ahly are on the verge of winning the domestic league as they top the table with 59 points, four points ahead of second-placed Pyramids FC, who have played four more matches.

With this comfortable lead, coach Marcel Koller has given his players a chance to rest, rotating his squad over the past two games. He is set to apply the same strategy on Monday.

On the other hand, Ceramica Cleopatra will be looking for their first win since February 28th, when they defeated NBE 2-1.

They have been held in seven successive games before losing to Future FC earlier this week in the first appearance of the team's veteran coach Helmi Toulane, who replaced Tunisian boss Mouine Chaabani.

Ceramica Cleopatra currently lie in 12th place in the league table with 31 points, three points off the relegation zone. They will be eager to earn a positive result on Monday and improve their situation in the table.

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