Preview: Ahly seek to close gap against league leaders Pyramids FC - Egyptian Football
Defending champions Al-Ahly will look to reignite their Egyptian Premier League title charge when they face leaders Pyramids FC in a pivotal Playoff stage clash at Cairo's 30 June Stadium on Saturday, aiming for a victory to slash the point deficit to the table-toppers and breathe new life into their pursuit of a 45th domestic crown.
The title holders currently sit second in the league standings with 39 points, trailing leaders Pyramids FC by four points.
The Red Devils have decided to resume competing in the league following a revised ruling by the Egyptian Pro League (EPL), which softened penalties imposed on the club for its controversial withdrawal from the Cairo derby against Zamalek on 11 March in protest over the EPL's rejection of their request for foreign match officials.
Initially handed a 3-0 forfeit defeat, a three-point deduction, and financial penalties, Ahly saw their sanctions partially eased after the EPL acknowledged the club's appeal for fairness amid a congested schedule.
The league stated Ahly's demand for neutral refereeing was 'legitimate for all clubs' and not an attempt to 'create a crisis.' Though the Egyptian Olympic Committee dismissed Ahly's initial appeal, the club opted to continue their campaign following the revised ruling.
Both sides enter the clash buoyed by continental success, since Ahly advanced to the CAF Champions League semifinals with a 2-0 aggregate victory over Sudan's Al-Hilal, while Pyramids FC have edged Morocco's FAR Rabat 4-3 on aggregate to reach the competition' last four for the first time in their history.
Historically, Ahly hold the upper hand, winning 10 of their 21 meetings across all competitions, while Pyramids FC have claimed six victories, with their most recent encounter in January ended 2-2.
Ahly Swiss coach Marcel Koller warned his players against squandering the opportunities that will arise during the match, emphasizing the need to capitalize on every chance, stressing that such high-stakes games do not tolerate missed opportunities.
The hosts, under Croatian tactician Krunoslav Jurcic, are expected to deploy a 4-3-3 system, leveraging quick transitions to exploit spaces left by Ahly's marauding full-backs, though they could do without the services of influential trio Ramadan Sobhi, Ibrahim Adel, and Blati Toure, who are reportedly sidelined through injuries.
Pyramids FC boast a lethal frontline and organized defense but have shown inconsistency, while Ahly's title pedigree and big-game mentality could prove decisive.
With both clubs chasing domestic glory and continental ambitions, this showdown promises a thrilling blend of tactical nuance, technical quality, and high drama.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
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