Al Ahly v AS Roma May 20th 2016 | Match Preview

Egyptian Al Ahly, the most successful team in African history, will play against AS Roma, one of the most established and prestigious clubs in Europe.

Match Info: CHAMPIONS GOLDEN CUP – AL AHLY VS AS ROMA

Date & Time: Friday, 20 May 2016 | 18:00 Cairo Local Time | Live on NileSports.com | SadaElBalad TV | Dubai Sports

Venue: HBZ Stadium

Al Ahly are the most successful Egyptian club in history – having won a record 37 league titles and 35 domestic cups since their foundation in 1907. They are also the most successful team in African Champions League history – having won the competition eight times.

Roma and Al Ahly have a strong connection, with this latest friendly set to be the third meeting between the two clubs since the turn of the millennium.

In 2002 the teams met for the first time, with Al Ahly winning 2-1 in Cairo – Vincenzo Montella scoring the goal for the Giallorossi.

Six years later the teams met again in Egypt’s capital city, this time the Giallorossi running out 3-0 winners thanks to goals from Mauro Esposito, Matteo Brighi and David Pizarro.

Press Conference:

Ahly skipper Hossam Ghaly revealed that his team’s players are ready for the friendly against Roma that is scheduled to be played at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday, while Roma winger Mohamed Salah hopes the game could benefit both two sides.

Egyptian giants Ahly have officially reached an agreement to play Italian side AS Roma in a friendly game on 20 May.

During a press conference held in Dubai on Thursday, the two sides’ representatives confirmed the friendly is important for them.

“Players feel relief in the Emirates and we hope to introduce a deserved representation for Egyptian football,” Ahly skipper Hossam Ghaly told the pre-game’s press conference on Thursday.

“Ahly players are fully focused as they all promised to represent Egyptian football properly against the Italian giants,” Ghaly added.

“We are happy to face Roma especially as they have our Egyptian mate Mohamed Salah in their squad as well as their good reputation.”

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah has been one of Roma’s best performers since joining last summer as the club battle for a UEFA Champions League spot next season.

“We will work to stop Salah from receiving the ball as he is one of Roma’s effective tools,” the Ahly skipper said.

Salah expressed pleasure at arriving to the United Arab Emirates to face Ahly who have more talented players.

“I hope the friendly game give off a good impression about the history of the two sides,” Salah told the press conference.

“The games against Ahly is very useful as they have a good reputation in African and international football,” he said.

“Ahly will make use of Friday’s friendly as it will help them in their participation in the Egyptian and African games,” the Roma winger said.

“I will do my best to produce a good game,” Salah added.