Ahly coach Rene Weiler believes that Thursday s anticipated Super Cup match against archrivals Zamalek is totally different than other confrontations in other competitions, adding that key star Ramadan Sobhi won t be available for the match.
The Egyptian Premier League title holders Ahly will face Egypt Cup winners Zamalek in the Super Cup on Thursday at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.
"The super Cup match against Zamalek is a very important game and it is totally different than other matches in the Egyptian League and the African Champions League," Weiler said in the pre-match press conference on Wednesday morning.
"With my full respect to Zamalek coach Carteron, I am dealing with the opponent as a whole team not only a coach or players. Ahly prepared well for this match and can win.
I can t reveal the starting line up, but I will include the best eleven to start and other best seven substitutes in the final squad," he added.
Afsha ready, Sobhi out
Ahly s in-form winger Ramadan Sobhi has been doubtful for the match despite recovering from a hamstring strain that sidelined him since last December, but Weiler confirmed the absence of his key player.
"Playmaker Mohamed Afsha Magdy is ready for the match, but Sobhi won t be available as he isn t fully fit despite his recent participation in trainings," the Swiss coach explained.
A different Super Cup test
Just days after taking the charge of the Reds, the 46-year old Weiler was lucky enough after guiding the team to beat Zamalek and win the last Super Cup title {of the 2018-2019 season}. The match was played on 20 September 2019 at Alexandria s Borg El-Arab stadium.
Despite playing this time away in UAE, Weiler isn t worried about his team.
"The confrontations this time with Zamalek is completely different than the previous one last year and every match has its own preparations," he said.
"It is like playing at home when we play in UAE. Generally our opponents who face us away do good efforts and so do we. We prepare well for every match," the Ahly coach concluded.
At the domestic level, champions Ahly currently lead the Egyptian Premier League table with 45 points from 15 matches, while Zamalek lie third with 31 points.
Ahly is supposed to face Zamalek for the second time in just a week in the Egyptian league derby next Monday.
