Al-Ain summons the character of the big matches against Al-Ahly of Egypt

The Al Ain team recalls the memory of victory in the big matches that helped it overcome heavy-caliber competitors, the last of which was during the process of winning the AFC Champions League title in its previous edition, when at nine o’clock this evening, UAE time, it was a heavy guest on Al-Ahly of Egypt in the match. Cairo International Stadium, in the second round of the Confederations Cup (Intercontinental Clubs).

“Al-Zaeem” continued to record a remarkable presence in major confrontations against international and continental clubs, as he did against Al-Nasr and Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the AFC Champions League in the last edition, and also when he previously defeated the teams of Esperance of Tunisia and River Plate of Argentina in his 2018 Club World Cup campaign. straight.

Al Ain team coach, Argentine Hernan Crespo, has his own explanation as to why his team appeared strong in big matches, and its level declined in matches against other clubs. He said in the press conference after his team’s 1-1 draw in the league championship against Dibba Al Hisn, bottom of the standings: “When My team plays matches at a high level and the team improves its performance, and this is the problem we faced against Dibba Al-Hisn.”

It is expected that Al-Zaeem will play today’s match with the same squad that participated in the Saudi Al-Hilal match in the third round of the AFC Champions League (Elite), and the team had the opportunity to rest a number of players in order to prepare them for today’s match, as it fielded during the Dibba Al-Hisn match with a lineup consisting of Most of them are substitute players.

On the other hand, Al-Ahly, the owner of the land and the fans, enters the confrontation in an ideal state of morale after clinching the Egyptian Super Cup title, which was held in Abu Dhabi last week, after a marathon penalty shootout at the expense of its rival, Zamalek.

Eric: The Al-Ahly confrontation is an extension of the Al-Nasr and Al-Hilal matches

Al Ain player, Eric Georgenets, confirmed that today’s match against Al-Ahly of Egypt will be an extension of the big confrontations that we have previously succeeded in, similar to the matches between Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia in the last edition of the AFC Champions League, indicating that he realizes that their competitor will enjoy huge public support, but he explained that This will create a wonderful atmosphere and will be stimulating for them, as happened in Saudi Arabia. He said in his speech to “Emirates Today” that they have great motivation in today’s match, adding: “This is a different competition from the league championship. We have to change our mentality to adapt to it. We started preparing for this match since last week. We watched their match against Zamalek. They are playing in a way.” “Good. It is true that our competitor will play the match on its home soil and in front of its fans, but we are accustomed to such an atmosphere.”

He added: “Last season, for example, we played strong matches outside our stadium against Al-Nasr and Al-Hilal. The crowd attendance was large. As I mentioned to you, this will create a wonderful atmosphere and we will work to benefit from it, as happened in Saudi Arabia.”

Bandar and Al-Shahat… a frozen friendship, 90 minutes

Today’s match witnesses a confrontation between Al-Ain captain Bandar Al-Ahbabi and Egyptian Al-Ahly player Hussein Al-Shahat, who have an ongoing friendship, which began after the latter’s transfer to the ranks of “Al-Zaeem” in 2018 coming from Misr Al-Maqasa, and it was not interrupted between them even after Al-Shahat later transferred to the ranks of Al-Ahly in 2019. Although the period that brought the two players together in Al Ain was not long, it witnessed the achievement of the league and cup titles and a major achievement with “Al Zaeem” reaching the final of the 2018 Club World Cup. Today’s match will be the first meeting between the two friends, as the right front of Al Ain will be on a date with the clash. Between the two friends, because Al-Shahat occupies the left wing position in Al-Ahly.