Al Ahly dominate possession but Zamalek hold firm in goalless opening

Al Ahly controlled 62% of possession during the opening stages but were unable to break through a well-organised Zamalek defence as the sides remained level at 0-0 in the Egyptian Premier League.

Zamalek created the first openings, with Abdallah El Said twice delivering left-sided corners into the penalty area. Both were dealt with by Al Ahly goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, who also comfortably collected a cross from Chico Banza.

Omar Gaber saw a shot from outside the box deflect off Yassin Marei and go behind for a corner, while Zamalek continued trying to establish control in midfield. Their defensive positioning also prevented Al Ahly from finding space to create clear opportunities.

Ashraf Bencharki received the ball inside the area and attempted to shoot, but Mahmoud Hamdy El Wensh made an excellent covering challenge. Bencharki later tried to dribble down the left, only for Omar Gaber to intervene and end the attack.

Al Ahly gradually built play from the defensive half, with Achraf Dari sending a long cross towards Bencharki on the left. Gaber cleared it into touch. Ahmed Sayed Zizo then won a free-kick in the defensive half of Zamalek’s territory after being challenged by Mahmoud Bentayg.

Zamalek goalkeeper Mehdi Soliman comfortably saved a cross from Al Ahly’s Tawfik Mohamed, who had delivered from the left. Zizo subsequently took a free-kick from the left side of the penalty area, but Zamalek’s defence cleared the ball away from danger.

Imam Ashour was fouled by Mohamed Shehata in a dangerous position near the left edge of the penalty area, while Akram Tawfik also won a free-kick in Al Ahly’s defensive half.

Zizo later sent a low cross from the right towards Sofiane Benjedida, whose shot from inside the area was poorly struck and flew over the crossbar. Another Zizo corner was cleared as far as Tawfik Mohamed outside the box, but his powerful effort also went high.

A further corner from the right found Imam Ashour, whose header sailed over the goal. Ahmed Fattouh then blocked Zizo’s run on the right, conceding another corner.

At the other end, a Zamalek corner was met by a header from El Wensh, but the attempt went wide without troubling Shobeir.

Fattouh briefly left the pitch to receive treatment for a nosebleed. After 15 minutes, the score remained goalless.