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Preview: Ahly want to avoid surprises against Hilal in Champions League as they eye last-four berth - Egyptian Football

Preview: Ahly want to avoid surprises against Hilal in Champions League as they eye last-four berth - Egyptian Football

Al-Ahram Weekly07-04-2025
Cairo giants Ahly will face a tough mission against Sudanese side Al-Hilal in Mauritania in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, as the defending champions look to advance in the competition and defend their title.
The game will be played in Mauritania, as the Sudanese side is forced to play abroad due to the political and security instability in their country.
They asked to host the match in Libya, but the Confederation of African Football (CAF) rejected their request, instead choosing Mauritania, where they participate in the Mauritanian League.
The Red Devils claimed a narrow 1-0 win in the first leg in Cairo, thanks to Mohamed Hany, who scored a rare goal.
This result has left Ahly fans worried about the team's future in the competition, especially given the unconvincing performance of the players during the game.
However, coach Marcel Koller confirmed that his side is well prepared for the match and hopes they will qualify for the next round.
'We are sure that the Sudanese side is a good team,' Ahly coach Marcel Koller told the pre-match news conference on Monday.
'So, we will have to be fully concentrated and cautious during the game. We will fight to earn a positive result and advance to the next round.'
The Swiss coach and team skipper Mohamed El-Shennawy refused to describe the team's performance in the first leg as poor, stressing that they won the game.
'I do not agree with those who say that the team produced a poor performance in the first half. We played well, but we failed to score more goals,' Ahly keeper Mohamed El-Shennawy said at the pre-match news conference.
Ahly will play the game with a full squad, as all available players are fit, providing the coach with many options for this crucial match.
'We know that the game will not be easy, but we are determined to win our 13th Champions League title,' El-Shennawy added.
On the other hand, Al-Hilal will be eager to pull off a surprise against the defending champions and reach the semifinals.
The hosts need to overturn their 1-0 first-leg defeat, a mission that appears difficult against an experienced team like Ahly, but they still dream of an upset.
'We will do our best against Ahly as we hope to reach the semifinals,' Al-Hilal coach Florent Ibenge told the club's official website on Monday.
'I know that our mission will be very difficult, but we will strive to achieve the surprise and reach the next round.' he concluded.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
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