Zamalek technical director Moataz Gamal has admitted that the club’s demanding run of fixtures is beginning to take a physical toll on his players, despite their 1-0 victory over Ghazl El Mahalla keeping them at the top of the Egyptian Premier League.
The Whites secured three points at Ghazl El Mahalla Stadium in the fifth round of the competition, taking their total to 13 points and moving clear at the summit of the table.
Gamal said the congested schedule had left his squad struggling with fatigue, with Zamalek having played four competitive matches in the space of 12 days.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, he said: “There are no easy matches in the league, and this is our first away game. I thank the fans who supported the team, and I dedicate this victory to them.”
The coach said Zamalek have made a positive start to their league campaign, with the only setback so far being their draw against Al-Ittihad Alexandria in the opening round.
However, he explained that the workload had affected the players’ condition. According to Gamal, the squad moved from a position of not being fully prepared to one of physical exhaustion as the number of matches increased.
He acknowledged that the situation might not be obvious to supporters watching from the stands, but said the technical staff understood the difficulties facing the players.
Gamal also stressed that the circumstances surrounding the fixture schedule were beyond the team’s control, leaving Zamalek focused on getting results despite the physical demands.
He added: “Zamalek players are putting in a tremendous effort, within the limits of their physical capabilities, and I emphasize the physical aspect because I have the best players in Egypt.”
The technical director said the squad had nevertheless reached an acceptable physical level and that the upcoming break would provide an opportunity for the players to recover before league action resumes.
Gamal also reflected on the preparations for the match against Ghazl El Mahalla, particularly after Khaled Galal took charge of the opposition.
He said Zamalek’s preparations were based on dealing with Ghazl El Mahalla collectively, rather than focusing solely on the team’s playing style.
The victory came despite the challenges surrounding the preparation for the match, with Zamalek continuing their unbeaten start apart from the draw against Al-Ittihad Alexandria.
Gamal also indicated that the club could turn to its youth players in the coming period as the technical staff deals with injuries within the squad.
He revealed that Zamalek were considering promoting players from the youth sector to help cover the absences caused by injuries.
Mohamed El-Sayed and Esho were both unavailable for the match against Ghazl El Mahalla, adding to the squad difficulties highlighted by the technical director.
With the league campaign now entering a break, Gamal said the priority would be recovery and preparation before Zamalek return to action, while the technical staff continues to manage the physical demands on the squad.
