Zamalek goalkeeper Mehdi Soliman says team improving despite limited preparation

Zamalek goalkeeper Mehdi Soliman says his side are developing with every match after their victory over Abu Qir Fertilizers, while acknowledging that the team did not have enough time for a proper preparation period.

Zamalek beat Abu Qir Fertilizers at Cairo International Stadium in the fourth round of the league, recording their third clean sheet in four league matches this season.

Soliman said the players had given everything during the game and were pleased to secure an important result.

“Praise be to God for the important victory. The players gave everything they had, and the team is improving from one match to the next,” Soliman told Zamalek’s media centre after the final whistle.

The victory moved Zamalek to 10 points and temporarily put them top of the league table, ahead of the rest of the fourth-round fixtures. Abu Qir Fertilizers remain 15th with three points.

Soliman also pointed to the limited preparation available to the squad before the start of the campaign. He said the team could not currently increase the physical workload significantly, but believed the players were ready to meet the demands placed on them.

“We did not have an adequate preparation period, and it is also difficult to raise the physical workload significantly at the moment. However, the players are up to the responsibility, and we have one goal, which is to raise Zamalek’s flag high,” he added.

The goalkeeper said the players understood the importance of representing Zamalek and dedicated the victory to the club’s supporters and board.

“Zamalek is a big institution. We congratulate the club’s fans on the victory, as well as the board of directors,” he said.

Zamalek will return to action away from home against Ghazl El Mahalla in the fifth round of the league next Wednesday. The match will be the team’s final league fixture before the competition pauses after the fifth round for the international break.

The sixth round, following the international interruption, will include the league meeting between Al Ahly and Zamalek.

For now, Zamalek’s position at the top of the table is provisional, with the outcome of the remaining fourth-round matches still to be decided. Their latest result nevertheless maintained their unbeaten defensive record in three of their four league games and continued the progress Soliman believes is being made from one match to the next.