Al-Ahly Sporting Club is gearing up for a significant showdown against their rivals, Al-Masry, on December 26, 2024, at Burj Al-Arab Stadium in Alexandria. With the club still reeling from mixed results and injuries affecting key players, fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this important match.
Under the guidance of Swiss coach Marcel Kohler, Al-Ahly enters the match with optimism following their previous dominant performance, where they defeated CS Belouizdad 6-1 in the African Champions League. This victory has revitalized their confidence after facing disappointment just days earlier when they lost to Pachuca of Mexico during the 2024 Intercontinental Club Championship penalties.
Currently, Al-Ahly stands with 8 points after 4 matches played, boasting two wins and two draws, scoring seven goals and conceding three. The team has shown resilience but finds themselves facing the absence of several pivotal players. Notably, Reda Slim has been sidelined with a significant knee injury.
Reda Slim, the Moroccan player, suffered what has been identified as partial tearing of the outer cartilage in his left knee during the match against JS Kabylie. Slim requested to be substituted at the 41st minute due to pain, prompting Kohler to bring on Percy Tau. The club later announced: "Pemeriksaan medis yang dijalani Reda Slim mengonfirmasi bahwa ia mengalami robekan sebagian pada tulang rawan luar di lutut kirinya," as confirmed by team doctor Ahmed Gaber, who indicated Slim would undergo more medical evaluations soon.
Meanwhile, Al-Masry has been performing strongly, accumulating 11 points from 5 matches, marking 3 wins and 2 draws. They are currently positioned higher on the league table, making this clash even more compelling. Coach Ali Maher leads Al-Masry, which features experienced players like Salah Mohsen and Fakhreddine Ben Youssef, who aim to challenge the defending champions.
Despite two consecutive draws, Kohler emphasizes the importance of regaining winning momentum, stating: "Marcelo Kohler has urged his players to return to winning form after two consecutive draws". Al-Ahly is determined to reclaim their position as the leading force in Egyptian football.
The recent results have created urgency within the Al-Ahly camp. Their last league performance resulted in a goalless draw against Al-Ahly Bank, and they are prepared to face modifications due to Slim's injury and the absence of other injured players like Taher Mohamed Taher, Karim Fouad, and Mohamed Hani, which challenges their depth.
Looking forward, the fixture is set against the backdrop of Al-Ahly’s ambition to secure their 45th Egyptian League title. Their last league triumph marked the 44th title during the 2023-2024 season, and they are now striving for third consecutive victories.
With the stakes high and emotions running even higher, the upcoming clash with Al-Masry is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the Egyptian football calendar, and fans will be hopeful for both thrilling entertainment and strong performance from their team.
This match not only impacts league standings but also symbolizes Al-Ahly's quest to establish dominance once again, bolstered by their successful heritage and driven by the younger talents eager to make their mark.
