Why Zamalek Skipped a Sixth Sub After Fattouh's Head Injury: A Cautious 3-1 Victory

Match context and injury decision

A source inside Zamalek revealed why the first‑team medical staff did not call for a sixth substitution after Ahmed Fattouh sustained a head injury during the Cairo Stadium clash with Tala’ea El Gaish in the Egyptian Premier League on Sunday.

The source told KOOORA that the medical team evaluated the player’s safety, and that taking a sixth substitution would have triggered a head‑injury protocol requiring special care. If a concussion was suspected, Fattouh could have been sidelined for roughly seven to ten days, potentially ruling him out of upcoming matches.

Under the protocol, a mild concussion typically carries a 7–10 day absence, a moderate concussion 10–21 days, and a severe case or loss of consciousness can exceed 21 days.

The medical staff and the coaching staff agreed that it was best for him to exit without a sixth substitution to avoid exposing him to further risk.

Match events, injuries, and result

Zamalek defeated Tala’ea El Gaish 3‑1 at Cairo International Stadium, lifting the white‑shirts to 22 points in the league. The win came under caretaker coach Ahmed Abdel‑Raouf, who has been steering a return to form after a four‑match run of draws and a defeat under Belgian coach Yanik Ferreira.

Three players were injured during the match: Brazilian Joao Bizeira, goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi, and Ahmed Fattouh, all ahead of the Egyptian Super Cup semifinal against Pyramids on Thursday.

In the 25th minute, Bizeira suffered a sudden muscle injury and left the field in tears, replaced by Adi Al‑Dabagh. The medical staff’ initial diagnosis pointed to a hamstring issue for Bizeira, with further tests planned to determine the extent.

Mohamed Sobhi felt muscular fatigue and was substituted by Mehdi Suleiman, while Fattouh’s head‑injury was checked and deemed stable. The team pushed on, prioritizing stability over rotating the squad again.

First half

The match opened with high pressing from Zamalek. Donja delivered a precise pass to Nasir Maher, who finished after five minutes to give the White Knights the lead. Tala’ea El Gaish answered with a strong effort from Ahmed Alaa, saved by goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi. Bizeira’s substitution followed a 28th‑minute injury, replaced by Adi Al‑Dabagh. A late opportunity for Dabagh went wide as the half ended with Zamalek in front.

Second half

Two changes were made by Zamalek at the start of the second half, bringing on Ahmed Fattouh and Mohamed Shahat. Houssam Abdelmagid’s mispass was later corrected by the defense, while Chiko Banza had a chance on the break thwarted by the Gaish defense. In the 49th minute, Nasir Maher scored a second for Zamalek after a cross from Fattouh. In the 51st minute, Mahmoud Hamdi Al‑Wansh replaced Abdelmagid as the White Knights continued to press.

The third goal arrived when Adi Al‑Dabagh headed home a cross from Mahmoud Bentaik in the 61st minute. A late substitution saw Mehdi Suleiman replace Mohamed Sobhi, and the defense remained solid as Gaish pushed, with Adi Al‑Dabagh scoring again in the 80th minute with a header for his team’s third. Despite late pressure, the match finished with Zamalek holding on for a 3‑1 victory.

Medical updates continued to emphasize that Bizeira’s suspected hamstring, Sobhi’s fatigue, and Fattouh’s head injury were being monitored closely as the club prepared for the upcoming cup semifinal against Pyramids.

Overall, the win restored some momentum for Zamalek amid administrative and coaching changes, and improved their league standing while highlighting the need to manage player health ahead of key dates on the fixture list.

Sniper note: If precision was a player, it’d be the medical staff—they dodged the headshot of a sixth sub like a pro. Punchline aside, Zamalek’s bench brands the phrase “rest up, win on,” even when the bench tries to steal the show. Punchline two—coaches rotate more than a chef in a kitchen; sometimes the best recipe is to serve the same dish, with a healthier garnish.