1-Msakni and N'Djeng effect Esperance scored 18 goals in eight Champions League games this season, with midfield wonderkid Youssef Msakni and Cameroonian forward Yannick N'Djeng outstandingly contributing. The duo either scored or set up a staggering 13 goals out of 18 for the holders before the final. But fortunately for Ahli, the injured Msakni won't be there for the Tunisians in the first leg. 2-Set piece demon The goal that sealed the Tunisians' berth to the final this season came from an indirect freekick converted successfully by defender Mohamed Ben Mansour for the winner against Mazembe. But the more remarkable, yet alerting fact is that Esperance's last four goals - out of a total 6 - in Ahli's net came from set pieces. Oussama Darragi, N'Djeng and Yaya Banana have all beaten Ahli's keeper from indirect freekicks previously, while Michael Eneramo hit his infamous Maradona goal from a corner in 2010. 3-Age factor They are in the Champions League final for a third year running, but this Esperance side can be labeled anything but ageing.
Maaloul has beaten Ahli before Out of the whole squad that represented Esperance in the Champions League this term, only midfielder Khaled Mouelhi is over 30 years of age, only by a year. In contrast, the veteran-studded Ahli include the likes of Mohamed Abou-Treika, Hossam Ghaly, Sayed Moawad, Mohamed Barakat and Wael Gomaa. A much statistical comparison states that the average age of Esperance's starting line-up in the previous game with Mazembe was 25.1 years, while Ahli had a rate of 29.3 against Sunshine Stars. 4-Solid back four Nabil Maaloul mainly relies on four regulars for the backline of his unchanged 4-2-3-1 formation, led by Khalil Chemmam, Walid Hichri, Mohamed Ben Mansour and Sameh Derbali. Significantly, Esperance have yet to concede a goal with these four men in the starting line-up during this season's Champions League, resulting in five clean sheets. 5-Hanging by a thread Esperance must be very careful with their discipline in Cairo, with six of their key players facing automatic suspension from the return leg. Mejdi Traoui, Houcine Raghed, Harrison Afful, Youcef Belaili, Derbali and Msakni are all one caution away from missing the Tunis tie, although the latter will already be sidelined on Sunday.
