Amr Al-Sulayya, Al-Ahly’s first team player, confirmed that the decision of the Red Castle’s board of directors to rest the players near the end of last season was difficult.
Al-Sulayya said in official statements: “The period of rest that the players obtained at the end of the season? It was certainly a difficult decision for us as players, despite its importance.”
And the Al-Ahly midfielder added: “At the time, I was returning from a long injury period and getting rest instead of rehabilitation and returning quickly was beneficial to me on a personal level.”
He continued, “But our collective feeling as players is that we would have tried to the end even if we lost the title. But seeing the club was the right thing, especially since all the players suffered a lot from the cohesion of seasons, pressure and injuries.”
And he continued: “Last season, we failed in championships with the club and the national team, which made it a very mentally difficult season for all players, but following the last period of rest and preparation, I think that we are all in a better condition and in a good degree of preparation for the next season.”
He continued: “The distinguished technical condition that links me with Hamdi Fathi and Aliou Diang within the team? We complete each other on the field and in the team, with us Mohamed Mahmoud and Ahmed Nabil Koka or any other element. Each of us has an advantage that complements the player next to him, and this is beneficial for the team.”
Regarding his dealings with the new and young players in the team, Al-Sulayya said: “I always talk to them that Al-Ahly Club is an example of discipline inside and outside the field and in all aspects of the player’s life, and this is what we seek to convey to the new and young players, and all players seek to learn from the old or the old in the team. I always strive to convey this point of view to all the players around me, following I learned it from those who preceded me.”
On the difference between his feeling on the first day of joining Al-Ahly and now, he said: “Certainly, the feeling was very different. On my first day, as any player, I felt very intimidated as a new player who feared this entity, regardless of my capabilities and diligence in training. That is why I took a lot of time to interact with the atmosphere and the fans. I got my chance following a while, thank God since then and I’m basically there.”
He added, “The beginning was difficult because I joined in difficult circumstances, and the team was returning from winning the famous Egyptian Super title that was held in the Emirates, and we are on our way to regain the African title and the league and satisfy the fans who want to achieve everything.”
Al-Sulayya indicated that the advice closest to his heart since joining the team was from the team leader at the time, Hossam Ghaly. Ready for the opportunity, whether at his own expense or Hossam Ashour, as they were mainly involved with the team.
Regarding his relationship with social media, he said: “Do not take more than its size in my life. I respect everyone’s opinions and words, whether negatively or positively, and I know that my role as a player in Al-Ahly does not allow me to respond to any transgressions.”
And the 32-year-old continued: “My daughter, Laila, is now 6 years old, and I discuss her views and what is going on through social media with her friends, and I accept her criticism of me when she follows Al-Ahly’s matches.”
Regarding the goal of Mohamed Sharif, which he scored once morest Zamalek from the Rabona style, he said: “Sharif’s goal, presence and movement is what gave value to the ball. Rabona has value in the match.”
Regarding the African title 2020, he said: “The most difficult title, because it is in front of Zamalek and we play in Egypt, and we need to restore a title that has been absent for years. We were under pressure in the camp before the match that did not allow us to sleep.”
And he added: “We have always been thinking regarding the repercussions of winning and losing all the time, and thank God we were able to contain the atmosphere and focus on that our goal in this meeting is to win a title that will be the key to a continuous procession of championships and competition for titles with a different spirit and personality, which is what God helped us to achieve and we won the African title. ninth”.
And regarding his goal in this meeting, he said: “The most precious goal in my life, and it was compensation and generosity from God for diligence and a lot of striving. In previous tournaments for the title and setbacks, all of it was a delay from God, and the goal was God’s generosity to me and satisfaction in the best form and the best timing for a lot of fatigue that has passed.”
Al-Sulayya spoke regarding his impressions with Marcel Koller, the coach of the team: “We tried the Swiss school before. He is a calm personality, has great experience and confidence, and has many ideas that we hope will help us as players to provide all our efforts and giving with the team.”
Al-Sulayya concluded his statements by sending a message to Al-Ahly fans, in which he said: “I thank them for their continuous support from my first day in the club to the difficult last season, especially what He was reaching us as players of support and support following losing the league and Africa, and we promise them to return quickly To make them happy, and we thank them so much for their support and backing us all the time.”
