Ready or not: Are Gradičhar and Trezeguet Fit for Ahly’s Abu Dhabi Final Against Zamalek?

Injury Updates Ahead of the Final

The Ahly medical team says Slovenian striker Gradičhar is ready to face Zamalek in the final, scheduled for Sunday at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in the Egyptian Super Cup in the UAE.

Gradičhar left Ahly’s win over Ceramica Cleopatra in the semi-final yesterday due to a suspected injury.

A trusted source told Kooora that Gradičhar suffered muscle fatigue, which forced his direct substitution.

The player will undergo a medical check, but there is no serious injury and the decision on his participation versus Zamalek rests with coach Yies Torup.

Similarly, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet left the Ceramica match but underwent a medical check and is deemed ready for the final.

The same source said Trezeguet only has a light bruise on his toe that should fade with some painkillers and rest.

Mohamed Shreef and Ahmed Reda are also reported as fully ready to take on Zamalek from a technical standpoint according to Torup’s assessment.

Journey to Abu Dhabi

The Ahly squad departed their residence hotel in Al Ain and headed to Abu Dhabi to prepare for the final.

Head coach Yies Torup expressed gratitude to Ahly fans who supported the players during the Ceramica match and looked forward to greeting them again in the final to maintain the backing and push for the trophy.

Semifinal Win, Final Preview

Ahly advanced to the final by beating Ceramica Cleopatra 2-1 at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain.

Ahly dominated most of the match and created several clear chances to widen the score, especially in the late stages when more than four chances appeared.

The first goal came from a Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet header, followed by Marwan Othman’s equalizer for Ceramica, and Gradičhar sealed the win with the winner in the second half.

Final Showdown

Zamalek secured a fiery final slot against their arch-rivals on Sunday, while Pyramids face Ceramica Cleopatra to decide third place.

This edition mirrors last season’s storyline, when Ahly and Zamalek met in the final and the Reds triumphed on penalties.

Zamalek reached the final after defeating Pyramids on penalties (5-4) following a goalless draw in the semi-final.

The clash featured a balanced display, with Zamalek coached by Ahmed Abd El-Rhman clinching qualification over the Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurčić’s side.

Key Decisions at Ahly’s Camp

Waleed Salah Eldin, the club’s football director, ordered a media blackout for the first-team players despite the Ceramica win.

A club source explained that Salah Eldin left three players to speak to the media due to sponsorship rights, but upon returning to the hotel in Al Ain, he informed players of the media blackout policy.

He also cautioned players about giving statements or engaging with social media, including the injured.

Of Benches and Leadership

Mohamed El-Khatib, the club chairman, checked in with Sayed Abdel Hafiz, the acting general supervisor of football, to ensure the team’s matters were in order and urged stability, stressing that the title is not yet won.

El-Khatib also asked the delegation to monitor crowd attendance for Sunday’s match and to fulfill all fan-related needs.

Torup: Our Objective is the Egyptian Super Cup

Torup praised the semifinal win over Ceramica Cleopatra, saying the goal from the outset was clear: reach the final and compete for the title.

“We beat a strong, disciplined team and largely controlled the game, except for the last ten minutes,” he noted, adding that the team was generally the more possession-based and creative side.

He stressed the team’s solid defense and ongoing physical development from game to game, insisting the win gave players a strong confidence boost.

Regarding Gradićhar, Torup said he had a good display and was substituted to protect him due to fatigue, but he should be ready for the final.

He wrapped up by saying the squad is used to pressure, which serves as motivation to succeed. The current focus is on lifting the trophy and continuing to improve the level of performance.

And for the record, if you need a quick weather update for Abu Dhabi: sunny with a chance of spectacular football—calendar not included, but the drama sure is.

Punchline time: If football is a sniper’s game, these two forwards just lined up the target and pulled the trigger—silence in the stands, roar in the press box. Second joke: If the final goes to penalties, the only thing that should be shooting is the camera flash—because the crowd will be catching every dramatic second in high definition.