Zamalek faces a crucial match against Ismaily as part of the twelfth round of the Egyptian Premier League on Monday, February 19th, at 7:00 PM local time at Ismailia Stadium.
Jose Gomez, the new head coach of Zamalek, seeks to assert his presence in his first official test with the club, especially after Zamalek made 10 new signings during the recent winter transfer window.
The following report sheds light on Jose Gomez’s thinking regarding the expected lineup against Ismaily, based on his coaching style and the absence of several players due to injuries, as well as Zamalek’s recent performance in friendly matches.
Jose Gomez’s Playing Style: Jose Gomez prefers to play with a 3-3-4 formation, a tactical approach commonly favored by European coaches, particularly Portuguese ones.
According to information from Zamalek, Mohamed Awad is likely to retain his place as the starting goalkeeper.
In the right-back position, Gomez favors Hamza Mathlouthi, with Omar Gaber likely to occupy the right-back position against Ismaily, given his commendable performance in Zamalek’s recent friendlies.
In the center-back positions, Hamza Mathlouthi will likely play alongside Yasser Hamdi.
As for the left-back position, with Mohamed Abdel Shafi sidelined due to injury, Ibrahim Ndaye is expected to start.
Midfield Overcrowding: Gomez faces a challenge with the abundance of midfielders.
While some see it as an advantage for any coach, others view it as a potential problem.
According to Zamalek sources, Gomez is impressed by the performance of new signing Mohamed Shatta, as well as his confidence in Nabil Emad Donga and Abdullah El-Said, making them the trio most likely to represent Zamalek against Ismaily.
Gomez’s tactical approach emphasizes midfield possession and high pressing, favoring players with high technical abilities.
Reserved Striking Line: As for Zamalek’s attacking line against Ismaily, certain positions seem predetermined.
Ahmed Mustafa “Zizo” and Mostafa Mohamed are expected to occupy the right and left flanks, respectively, while Seif El-Din El-Jaziri is likely to lead the frontline.
The report provides insights into Gomez’s tactical preferences and lineup considerations, setting the stage for a compelling encounter between Zamalek and Ismaily.
