When Thorup Speaks on Barca Talks, VAR Absence, and Morocco’s Night

Thorup on Barca Talks

Yis Thorup, the Al Ahly head coach, condemned the absence of video technology in the CAF Champions League group stage. He discussed the possibility of former stars Ali Maaloul and Mohamed Abdelmonem returning to the Red Castle squad, while cautioning fans not to romanticize the past and to focus on the players presently at hand.

He clarified that while legends live in football lore, the team must keep its eyes on what is available now rather than chasing outsiders for help. He also commented that the decision to bring back specific players would depend on the needs of the squad and the direction the club chooses to take.

Present Focus and Barca Talks

Regarding Mohamed Abdelmonem, Thorup stated that his attention remains on the players currently in the lineup. He described the squad as great and emphasized his goal of developing the group further. When the winter transfer window opens, the file will be revisited, and while there could be better players available, he is content with the existing roster.

On the subject of a potential move involving a current Al Ahly player to the national team, he noted that he would keep that view to himself and would not meddle in others affairs. He highlighted ongoing discussions with club management about the future and how to strengthen the team while keeping the core intact.

When asked about Barcelona's pursuit of Hamza Abdul Karim, a young Al Ahly talent, Thorup said he would not discuss negotiations between clubs. His focus is on developing Hamza into a better player, with Hamza having returned from national duty and viewed as the club’s future. The final decision lies with the club, but the overarching aim remains player development.

Thorup also touched on African refereeing, saying he must be careful with the topic but finding it odd that a major competition like the CAF Champions League can be played without VAR. He noted that the Morocco incident in Rabat, where the crowd’s energy was strong yet safety concerns for players prevailed, underscored the importance of prioritizing player safety.

He closed by stating that safety comes first for his squad, even as he acknowledges the need for structural improvements and fair play across the continent.

Mistrals of the day ending aside, Thorup kept his focus on growth and responsibility, not headlines. And if you think football transfers are dramatic, try coordinating a press conference with a stadium full of fans who could teach stand-up comedy a thing or two about timing. Punchline 1: If Barc a calls, tell them you already booked a bigger stage — the transfer market. Punchline 2: VAR may not be in Africa yet, but my jokes already have instant replay—they fail once, then get called back for a second round of laughs.