Al Ahly board member Hossam Ghaly has criticised head coach Jose Riveiro, following their defeat to Palmeiras in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup.
The Egyptian side suffered a 2-0 defeat in their second group game against the Brazilian side at the MetLife Stadium on Thursday evening.
This marked the Red Castle’s second match of the tournament, following a goalless draw in their opener against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
In the wake of the result, Ghaly publicly criticised Riveiro, accusing him of poor squad management.
“Jose Rivero, the technical director, should have revitalized the team with some substitutions between the two halves of the match against Brazilian club Palmeiras,” Ghaly said, according to Ahlynews.com.
“There were some players in the midfield and attack who could have been brought in to inject fresh blood into the Reds.
“Al-Ahly’s participation in the Club World Cup at the end of the season has led to a significant decline in the Red Team’s physical condition,” he added.
“The negative note regarding Rivero is the importance of making substitutions between halves of the match, in order to avoid a drop in the team’s fitness level, which is the same thing that happened in the match against Inter Miami in the first round.”
The defeat in New Jersey leaves Al Ahly at the bottom of Group A with just one point, three behind both Palmeiras and Inter Miami.
Ahly now face a must-win clash against FC Porto in their final group-stage match. To keep their hopes of progressing alive, they will need not only a win but a convincing one.
