Although international players like Amr Zaki and Mohamed Abou-Treika are expected to have the major spotlight, other players are likely to mastermind the action during the 100th Cairo derby. Zamalek midfielder Mohamed Aboul-Ella and Ahli's Mohamed Barakat are both likely to have a decisive impact in the Egyptian League's anticipating clash. Mohamed Aboul-Ella Zamalek have largely missed the presence of Aboul-Ella in the league's first two matches due to suspension. Despite being a natural attacking midfielder, the 27-year-old is capable of fulfilling defensive duties as well as keeping the ball under control in a superb way. In the offensive aspects, his silky passes always prove pivotal in providing assists to Zamalek frontmen. So are his long balls behind the opponent's backline. His breakthroughs, though few, produce scare for opposition. In the 2001/2002 season, the then Ahli midfielder Hossam Ghaly found no alternative but to bring down Aboul-Ella inside the area as the latter was on his way clear on goal. The following season, Aboul-Ella's pinpoint cross from the left flank was brilliantly headed by Hossam Hassan into Essam Al-Hadari's net. His latest contribution to Zamalek goals against Ahli came last season when another inch-perfect cross, this time from the right, picked up Gamal Hamza, who headed home. Aboul-Ella can help Zamalek by capitalizing on the current poor form of Ahli's midfielders especially after the departure of Mohamed Shawki to Premiership side Middlesbrough. Mohamed Barakat
Mohamed Barakat Pace and penetration are important aspects in any player's game, and Barakat is not short of such qualities. The versatile midfielder is expected to be one of Manuel Jose's key elements when Ahli face Zamalek. He superbly filled the void left by Abou-Treika when the latter was injured, and the return of the classy playmaker will further help him impress. Despite being over the age of 30, Barakat is still recognized by his speedy breakthroughs into the oppositions' area. Full-backs are not that good in Egypt nowadays, to the benefit of the former Ismaili man who will be ready to test Zamalek defense through swift overlapping with teammates. If he either played as a wingback on the right or as a playmaker, Barakat is likely to bother the player who will occupy Zamalek's left hand side of the pitch. Ahmed Magdi, who arrived at Zamalek to play in the heart of midfield, was surprisingly switched to another role on the left. Zamalek coach Ruud Krol is apparently not convinced by veteran Tarek Al-Sayed and newly-arrived Jordanian defender Khaled Saad, so he opted for Magdi choice. However, Magdi's slowness is unlikely to help him hold off Barakat, who will be definitely given special attacking instructions by Jose. Even if Al-Sayed played as a left-back, Zamalek will still have a problem. The 29-year-old causes constant threats on the opponents, but does not fulfill defensive duties well. But surely Krol will do his best to ensure Barakat won't annoy the men in white defense.
