The absence of Ali Mahmoud, Al Ahly's midfielder, from the squad for the upcoming match against Abu Qir for Fertilizers, scheduled for Tuesday evening as part of the fifth round of the Egyptian Premier League, has raised questions about the reasons behind his exclusion from coach Hussein Ammouta's plans.
Ali Mahmoud's exclusion coincides with the return of Imam Ashour, who is close to breaking into the starting lineup after coming on as a substitute against Al Mokawloon Al Arab, making a tactical explanation one of the most likely reasons for the midfielder's omission.
The Al Mokawloon Incident Raises Questions
Ali Mahmoud's exclusion has led some to link the decision to what happened in Al Ahly's last match against Al Mokawloon Al Arab, where the Moroccan coach criticized the player for the sadness and discomfort he displayed when substituted in the previous match.
This incident opens the door to questions about whether Ali Mahmoud's absence from the Abu Qir for Fertilizers match is merely a tactical decision by Ammouta as part of a rotation policy and selecting the most prepared players, or if the player may have faced an internal penalty due to what occurred during the Al Mokawloon Al Arab match.
Is it a Penalty or a Tactical Decision?
So far, there is no confirmed information indicating that Ali Mahmoud has been penalized by Ammouta due to his behavior in the previous match, making the interpretation of the exclusion as a tactical decision the most likely scenario, while awaiting what may unfold in the coming days regarding the player's situation.
Ammouta hopes that the match against Abu Qir for Fertilizers will be an opportunity for Al Ahly to regain its balance and correct the image it presented against Al Mokawloon Al Arab, after finishing the match in a 1-1 draw and losing two points in the league race.
The participation of players in the upcoming period is expected to reveal the extent of Ammouta's reliance on Ali Mahmoud, and whether his exclusion from the Abu Qir match is merely a decision related to match tactics, or the beginning of a decline in his role within the team.
Imam Ashour's Return Affects Midfield Options
Ali Mahmoud's exclusion comes alongside Imam Ashour's return to the coaching staff's considerations, after he missed the starting lineup for Al Ahly at the beginning of the team's league campaign, before coming on as a substitute against Al Mokawloon Al Arab.
Imam's return provides Ammouta with additional options in midfield, especially with the presence of Marwan Attia, Ahmed Reda, Omar El Sayed, and Mohamed Magdy Afsha, which enhances the competition for starting positions and the squad.
Therefore, Ali Mahmoud's exclusion may primarily be related to a reshuffling of the midfield, especially since Ammouta is seeking to find the most effective combination to implement his ideas in the upcoming phase.
