Zamalek began their Egyptian Premier League title defense with a goalless draw against Al Ittihad Alexandria on Friday evening at Cairo International Stadium in the opening round of the 2026-27 season.

The White Knights controlled large spells of the match, enjoying 61% possession, while both teams registered 12 shots. However, a lack of clinical finishing, combined with solid defending and goalkeeping, kept the score level until the final whistle, leaving each side with one point from the opening fixture.

Control Without a Finish

Zamalek started strongly in search of an early breakthrough and created several opportunities during the first half, particularly through Nasser Mansi, who was involved in more than one dangerous attempt. Ahmed Sherif, Mohamed Shehata and Omar Gaber also contributed to the team's attacking pressure.

Al Ittihad, meanwhile, gradually grew into the game and did not simply sit back. The Alexandria side began testing Mehdi Soliman and became more adventurous after the break, creating chances that could have changed the outcome.

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Head coach Moatamed Gamal attempted to improve Zamalek's attacking output with several substitutions. Mohamed El Sayed entered at the start of the second half, followed by Chico Banza, Ahmed Rabie and Mohamed Hamd, but the hosts were unable to find the decisive goal. Al Ittihad also remained dangerous until the closing stages, ensuring a tense finish.

Gamal Explains Rotation

After the match, Moatamed Gamal called for patience, stressing that Zamalek are still early in their preparation process, with the team having had only around 20 days to prepare. He explained that the technical staff used rotation to reduce the risk of injuries and help prepare the entire squad.

The Zamalek coach acknowledged the difficulty of balancing the pressure to win with the need to build the players' fitness and readiness. He also expressed confidence in the current squad and their ability to quickly adapt to his tactical approach despite the expected shortcomings of an early-season performance.

The draw gives Zamalek their first point in what will be a long campaign to retain the league title. However, the result also raises questions about the team's attacking efficiency, while Al Ittihad proved they could stand firm against the champions and leave Cairo with a valuable point.