Rida Abdel-Aal: Turup’s Promising Debut with Al Ahly; Ben Ramadan Lacks Fit
Rida Abdel-Aal, a former Egyptian football star, praised the promising debut of Danish coach Yes Turup with Al Ahly. His leadership was evident in the recent match against Algerian club, Chabab Belouizdad, where Al Ahly secured a convincing 4-1 victory. This match took place at the Cairo International Stadium during the first round of the group stage in the CAF Champions League.
Turup’s Impact on Al Ahly
During an interview on the Primus program with presenter Mohamed Farouk on TeN, Abdel-Aal expressed optimism about Turup’s approach. He noted the coach’s strategy demonstrated a clear vision that could help reorganize the team effectively.
Abdel-Aal highlighted Turup’s tactical implementation from the very first match. This newly adopted style restored confidence in player Aliou Dieng, who had previously been sidelined under former coach José Ribeiro.
Player Dynamics Under Turup
Abdel-Aal observed that teammates Mahran Attiah and Dieng emerged as ideal choices for the defensive midfield position. Their performance, coupled with Imam Ashour’s return for the attacking midfield role, established a more balanced roster.
- Aliou Dieng’s confidence restored
- Mahran Attiah’s enhanced role
- Imam Ashour supports attacking efforts
This reorganization allows Al Ahly to gain better control in the midfield, resulting in a more effective offensive play while utilizing quick transitions and counterattacks.
Challenges for Ben Ramadan
On the other hand, Abdel-Aal indicated that Tunisian player Mohamed Ali Ben Ramadan faces increased challenges in securing a starting position. The emphasis from Turup is on players’ actual performance and skills rather than their names or previous contracts.
Despite being a substitute option previously, Ben Ramadan has not yet showcased the necessary level of play needed to make the starting lineup. Abdel-Aal stressed the importance of consistency in upcoming matches, emphasizing Turup’s clear vision for reshaping the team both in terms of strategy and player selection.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, Turup’s initial success instills hope among Al Ahly supporters for a robust competition in both domestic and continental tournaments. His debut performance against Chabab Belouizdad is viewed as a positive indicator of the team’s potential for the current season, provided they adhere to tactical discipline and sound strategic choices.