Al Ahly coach Marcel Koller has disclosed his plans for the CAF Champions League clash against Mamelodi Sundowns, cautioning that Sundowns won’t replicate what Orlando Pirates achieved in Cairo.
In the group stage of the tournament, the Red Devils played to a scoreless draw at the Orlando Stadium before Jose Riveiro's team defeated Ahly on their home turf in Egypt.
The Egyptian giants are currently preparing for the second leg of the semi-finals. The match is scheduled for Friday at 18h00 at the Cairo International Stadium.
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It is important to mention that Ahly last triumphed over the Brazilians in May 2021 when South African and well-traveled coach Pitso Mosimane was still at the helm of the Club of the Century.
With the 12-time Champions League winners set to host Sundowns, Koller has said Ahly does not intend to secure a victory through penalties, but to outwit Miguel Cardoso’s team during regular play.
"We prepared well for the match and did not want to concede any goals from Sundowns, because conceding a goal would cost us two goals," Koller said, as quoted by Twaslnews.com.
"We haven't beaten Sundowns in eight matches, but that doesn't mean anything. The most important thing is winning.
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"Penalty kicks are always a one-on-one situation, and no matter how much we train on them, our focus during the match is different.
"Just as Sundowns has a great goalkeeper in penalty kicks, we also have a distinguished goalkeeper," added the well-travelled tactician.
"Our goal is to finish the match without reaching penalty kicks. Orlando [Pirates] is not Sundowns, and our defeat to Orlando in the group stage is a different situation."
The victorious team from this match will face either Orlando Pirates or Pyramids FC in the final. The two teams will be in action on the same day at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo at 20h00.
