Zamalek assistant coach Mohamed Helmi expressed his relief with the team's backline in the wake of Monday's 1-0 victory over ENPPI. Ruud Krol's team needed a second-half header from youngster Mohamed Ibrahim to secure a morale-boosting win before clashing with Ahli on Friday. Even though the Whites were facing a defensive crisis, with some key players missing due to injury and suspension, Helmi feels defenders were in good shape. "Our defense looked good, ENPPI have rarely threatened the goal, that's why we deserved to win," said the Zamalek second man. Zamalek missed suspended duo Beshir Al-Tabei and Amr Al-Safti, in addition to the injured Wissem El-Abdi, which forced Krol to place full-back Ahmed Ghanem at the heart of defense. Al-Tabei is expected to return against Ahli, but Al-Safti still has one game to serve as Tunisian defender El-Abdi remains doubtful.
