Al Ahly head coach Jess Torup has praised his team’s performance following a 3-0 victory over Zamalek in the Egyptian Premier League, while also explaining the emotional strain he experienced during the match.
The result came in the fifth round of the championship stage and represented a significant response to recent criticism, as Al Ahly delivered a disciplined and effective display in one of African football’s most intense rivalries.
Tactical discipline key to victory
Torup highlighted his side’s organisation as central to the win, pointing to both defensive solidity and attacking efficiency.
“I know the historical rivalry between Al-Ahly and Zamalek , which lasts for more than one hundred years. The first time I appeared against Zamalek was in the Super Cup final, and on that day I knew the value of this match and the extent of its impact on the public.”
He added: “We played a match with great tactical discipline. We defended well, we were outstanding defensively, and we performed exceptionally well offensively. I think we deserved the victory, and we were the most deserving of this win.”
The performance marked a notable improvement, with Al Ahly balancing structure at the back and clinical finishing in attack.
Fans and squad depth praised
The coach also acknowledged the role of supporters and the contribution of his squad, particularly in light of pre-match challenges.
“I told the players before the match that they should keep their families in mind and make them proud, and this reflects the spirit with which they performed during today’s match. I thank the Al-Ahly fans for their good support during the match. We had some injuries and suspensions before the match, but I think everyone who participated, whether as a starter or a substitute, was up to the task, and I salute them for their performance.”
Bencharki delivers in attacking role
A key talking point from the match was the performance of Achraf Bencharki, who scored twice after being deployed in an advanced role.
“I agree that we have a crisis in the attacking aspect and a failure to finish attacks properly. Bencharki trained well throughout the past week, and we hoped that he would be able to play, whether as a winger or a pure striker.”
He continued: “Congratulations to Achraf Bencharki on his outstanding performance in today’s match. Our goal in his participation was for him to play an attacking role and score goals, which he succeeded in doing after scoring two goals, one with his head and the other with his foot.”
Torup also highlighted the contribution of Hussein El Shahat, who operated as a second striker.
“We cannot forget Hussein El Shahat’s performance in today’s match after he played as a second striker, and congratulations to him because we saw in training how he can handle attacks on balls close to the goal.”
Emotional explanation
Despite the convincing victory, the coach appeared subdued after the match, something he addressed directly.
“I am always a sensitive person. I spent 90 minutes trying to get inside each player’s head so that he would perform the way I wanted, and I think that when I return home I will be happy.”
He suggested that the emotional intensity stemmed from the demands of managing the team during such a high-stakes fixture.
Preparation and mindset shift
Torup also pointed to recent changes in approach as a factor behind the improved performance.
“Sometimes players need a new look and a new way to wake up and pay more attention, and that’s what we did in the past few days , and the effect of that was evident in today’s performance. We had a long time to appear in the way we wanted and to play in the ideal way.”
Turning point performance
The result may represent a turning point for Al Ahly, who combined tactical discipline with attacking sharpness to secure a comprehensive derby victory.
For Torup, the match not only delivered three points but also validated recent adjustments, even if the emotional cost of orchestrating the performance was evident on the touchline.
