Al-Ahly Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Al-Ahly focuses on a strong defensive presence and quick transitions using a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to absorb pressure and strike with pace through the wide areas and a central striker. The team aims to remain hard to beat while looking for moments to exploit gaps in the opposition defense.

Elshenawy operates between the posts to command the area and organize the defensive line. The back five consists of Marwan, Yasser, and Hamdy acting as the central three, while Hany and Elesh occupy the wing back roles. Marwan holds the center of the defense to manage aerial threats, with Yasser and Hamdy providing cover on either side. Hany and Elesh act as attacking wing backs who push high to provide width, but they must track back to maintain a compact defensive block. This defensive unit works to stay narrow and force the opposition wide.

The midfield utilizes a double pivot featuring Benrhomdane and Emam. These two players must work hard to cover the space between the defense and the attack. Benrhomdane and Emam act as the engine, with one player often sitting deeper to shield the back five while the other looks to carry the ball forward into the half spaces. They are responsible for winning the second ball and recycling possession to find the forwards. Their primary job is to connect the defensive unit with the front three during transitions.

In the attacking phase, Al-Ahly uses three attackers to stretch the opposition. Wessam acts as the lone striker, working to hold up the ball and pin the last defender. Trezeguet and Taher operate as wide attackers, with Trezeguet often looking to cut inside from the left to create goal threats. The movement is designed to create runs in behind and allow Hany and Elesh to overlap. This front line can press from the front to force a long ball or wait for the transition to attack at pace.

One major advantage of this formation is the ability to create wide overloads when the wing backs push up to join the attackers. The team can also remain very compact when defending in a low block, making it difficult for opponents to find space in the middle. This allows Al-Ahly to transition quickly and use the speed of Trezeguet and Taher to catch the opposition out of position.

This 5-2-3 formation provides a sturdy base for teams that want to control the game through defensive solidity. It is particularly effective against opponents that play with high lines and can be punished on the break.