Al Ahly's Challenge Against Barcelona: Joan Gamper Trophy Preview
Houcine Ammouta’s first major test as Al Ahly coach could hardly be tougher: Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou, under the lights, in the Joan Gamper Trophy.
The Moroccan, appointed to replace Hossam Aouar, has wasted no time stamping his ideas on the side. He has gone bold. New signing Soufiane Bendjedida leads the line as a classic centre-forward, asked to occupy Barcelona’s back line and give Al Ahly a direct outlet high up the pitch.
Either side of him, Ammouta has turned to pace and craft. Achraf Bencharki, his compatriot and one of the most experienced figures in the squad, starts on one flank, with Taher Mohamed Taher on the other. It is an attacking trio built to break quickly, to punish any slackness from a Barcelona team that will expect to dominate the ball.
Behind them, the responsibility falls on a midfield anchored by Ahmed Sayed "Zizo". The influential playmaker is tasked with knitting together defence and attack, supported by Ahmed Nabil "Koka" and Marwan Attia. That trio will need to cover huge spaces, press intelligently and still find the quality to release the wide men and Bendjedida when Al Ahly turn the ball over.
One notable absentee is Emam Ashour. He misses out entirely, with his future at the club shrouded in uncertainty and his name again the subject of speculation. On a night like this, his absence only feels larger.
At the back, Ammouta has gone with a settled, hard-working unit to face the Catalan onslaught. Mostafa Shobier starts in goal, shielded by a back four of Mohamed Hany, Hady Riad, Amr El Gazzar and Karim Fouad. Their task is simple in description, brutal in reality: survive Barcelona’s rotations, stay compact, and give Al Ahly a platform to grow into the game.
This clash is the pinnacle of a Spanish training camp designed to harden Al Ahly before the new season. Friendly in name, ruthless in its demands. For Ammouta, it is a chance to measure his ideas against one of Europe’s giants and to see which players can carry his plan under real pressure.
The timing matters. In just a few days, Al Ahly will swap the glamour of Camp Nou for the grind of the Egyptian Premier League, opening their domestic campaign next Sunday against El Sharkia ENPPI. Tonight is about testing themselves on a grand stage. Next week, the results will start to count.
Al Ahly starting XI vs Barcelona – Joan Gamper Trophy
- Goalkeeper: Mostafa Shobier
- Defence: Mohamed Hany, Hady Riad, Amr El Gazzar, Karim Fouad
- Midfield: Ahmed Sayed "Zizo", Marwan Attia, Ahmed Nabil "Koka"
- Attack: Taher Mohamed Taher, Achraf Bencharki, Soufiane Bendjedida
From Camp Nou to Cairo, Ammouta’s project begins under the harshest possible spotlight. How quickly this new-look side adapts may define their push to climb back onto the winners’ podium this season.
