Moataz Gamal, the technical director of Zamalek, affirmed that all matches in the Egyptian Premier League are difficult. He apologized to the White Castle fans for the team's performance during the first half against Petrojet Suez, describing it as Zamalek's worst showing.
Moataz Gamal stated in the post-match press conference: "I apologize to Zamalek fans for our performance in the first half; we delivered a very poor half, perhaps the worst we've had recently. I know the reason behind it, but I prefer not to discuss it at this time."
He added: "For big teams, securing victory is always the priority. We were the better side in the second half after speaking with the players at halftime. We made some substitutions that helped improve performance and increased our focus. Ultimately, what mattered most to me was securing the three points, which is our objective."
He continued: "We study each opponent's system and playing style before every match. I don't like talking extensively about opponents, but they played in their usual manner, and we managed to exploit the opportunities and spaces that appeared before us."
He further said: "I spoke with the players at halftime to calm them down. I appreciate all the players and the effort they exert, even though more than one player did not perform at the level we expected from them."
What did Moataz Gamal request from Zamalek's players?
The Zamalek technical director indicated that he asked his players to handle the ball quickly and move effectively without it, stating: "I urged the players to deal with the ball swiftly, alongside moving off the ball, as this helps the team perform better."
He clarified: "In our first league match, we delivered a good first half but performed poorly in the second. Therefore, we worked on correcting this issue. Moreover, having a strong bench contributed to the team's improved display in the second half of the last two matches."
Regarding Abdullah El-Said's participation in the match, Moataz Gamal said: "I decided to bring on Abdullah El-Said toward the end of the match to maintain control in midfield. He is a senior player, and his presence holds great importance for the team."
He concluded his remarks by saying: "There is a difficult balance between achieving victory and preserving the players simultaneously. Sometimes, I ask the players to remain calm on the pitch to avoid injuries. We aim to utilize the upcoming break to enhance the players' physical fitness, especially since the team faces significant pressure in upcoming matches, both in the Egyptian Premier League and the CAF Champions League."
