Al-Ahly Football Formation
Starting Lineup
M. El Shenawy (Oufa) · H. Fathy (Yasser Ibrahim) · Y. Attiyat Allah (A. Ramadan) · A. Dari (Mostafa El Aash) · A. Dieng (M. Ateya) · Zizo (Taher Mohamed) · A. Bencharki (Afsha) · M. Trezeguet (H. El Shahat) · M. Ben Romdhane · Emam Ashour · W. Abou Ali (N. Gradisar)Al-Ahly focuses on a high press and quick transitions, operating within a 3-6-1 formation. This lineup is built to dominate the central areas of the pitch while using wide players to stretch the opposition. The team aims to win the ball high up the pitch and quickly find the forward to catch the defense off guard.
M. El Shenawy operates between the posts to command the defensive unit. The back line features a three man defensive block with Y. Attiyat Allah acting as the left centre back, A. Dari as the right centre back, and H. Fathy in the middle. Attiyat Allah and Dari look to cover the wide areas when the team pushes up, while Fathy acts as the central anchor to clear the lines. This trio works to maintain a high line to squeeze the space between the units.
The midfield is a crowded engine room designed to control the tempo and win the second ball. A. Dieng sits in the single pivot role to shield the defence and intercept passes. Ahead of him, Emam Ashour and M. Ben Romdhane act as central midfielders who carry the ball forward and connect the lines. M. Trezeguet plays on the left side of this midfield bank to drive the play, while the team uses a large midfield block to ensure they always have numbers to recycle possession.
In the attacking phase, Al-Ahly uses a lone striker in W. Abou Ali to lead the line. He works to hold up the ball and pin the last defender, allowing the wider attackers to join the play. Zizo operates on the right side as a wide attacker to provide width, while A. Bencharki plays as an advanced midfielder on the left to support the strike force. These players aim to create runs in behind and provide service through crosses or quick combinations in the final third.
This formation offers significant numerical superiority in the middle of the pitch. By packing the central zones with players like Emam Ashour and A. Dieng, Al-Ahly can dominate possession and force the opponent into giving up the ball. The wide players like Zizo and A. Bencharki also create overloads that make it difficult for the opposition to defend the flanks.
The 3-6-1 formation provides a heavy central presence that allows Al-Ahly to dominate the ball. It is best suited for matches where the team needs to squeeze a low block or overwhelm an opponent through midfield control.