Egypt Coach Hossam Hassan: Salah Returns to National Team in Better Form Despite Liverpool Woes

Hupu Football News — June 26

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan addressed the media in a pre-match press conference ahead of his side's World Cup group stage encounter with Iran. Below are the key takeaways from his remarks.

Pre-Match Thoughts

"We are very clear about this group. Every team is strong—Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran—but each team has its own ambitions. As I said in a previous press conference, every team has ambitions against others, but we are taking it step by step, first focusing on Belgium, then on a strong team like New Zealand, and then the Asian team, which is Iran. Iran represents Asia and is certainly one of the strongest teams on the Asian continent, and they are ranked 21st in the world, for which I have full respect and admiration.

"As always, as a coaching staff, as head coach, and as players, we deeply respect our opponents, just as we did in previous matches. But we have our own ambitions, just as they have theirs. We have confirmed that we have entered the second round—in a way that makes Egypt, Africa, and the Arab world proud. We hope to increase respect for Egyptian football and the Egyptian national team. The team is ready, and I hope tomorrow we can achieve success and the players can maintain good form."

Player Rotation and Injury Updates

Question: There is a 90% chance Egypt has already secured a spot in the top 32. Is there any intention to rest star players? Or will Egypt go all out for victory? Also, please discuss the team's preparation and player availability—Fathi and Magdy—can either of them make this match?

Hassan: "All players are ready. Of course, injuries are natural. Ahmadi Fathi and Abdul-Magdy are still recovering, as per the protocol you mentioned. But regarding rotation, I have full confidence in all my players. I selected 26 players, and they are all the same; no one is worse than another, the only difference being experience and prior participation. But as you've seen, even the youngest player on the team, Karim, I am ready to use at any time—whether as a starter or substitute. So all players in their respective positions are ready."

Group Stage Strategy

Question: If Egypt advances as the second-place team in the group, would that make Egypt's path easier? Is this something the coaching staff considers?

Hassan: "On a personal level, I only love winning. Regarding other calculations—who we will meet, who is on our path—we are pursuing advancement. The most important thing is to win. It doesn't matter who we meet; if we win, we fear no opponent. That's not a problem because we respect all teams. No team is easy or weak. Football has changed. Why? Because for a long time in the past, most players of national teams around the world didn't play in Europe. Now all teams—even the New Zealand team we played against—their players are at clubs in England and across Europe. So now you face opponents with ambitions and experience. There are no weak teams, and even the worst African team has 26, 25, 24 professional players. Not to mention Europe and Asia. So our consideration is that the most important thing is to enter the second round and achieve a positive result, because that's the goal."

Message for Iran

Question: Any words for the Iran team? They might feel like victims due to travel restrictions against them.

Hassan: "On a personal level and on behalf of my country, I respect all the teams present because they all have the right to participate in the World Cup, to compete, and to receive equal treatment, because first and foremost, FIFA promotes respect and fair play. Respect and fair play mean everyone must respect each other, treat everyone with respect, and be fair to all. So, good luck to all of us, and the Iran team is one of the teams I deeply respect."

Weather, Tactics, and Iran's Approach

Question: Tomorrow's weather forecast says rain. Has the coaching staff considered this—from rain boots to equipment? I read Iranian newspapers, and their coach said they would play attacking football from the start and try to suppress Salah. How do you respond?

Hassan: "Our players—whether globally or especially in Egypt—are professionals who have dealt with various weather conditions. We've experienced all kinds of weather in Africa, in qualifiers, and professional players are used to rain, heat. At the same time, as you know, the pitch is watered before, during, and even at halftime, so we are accustomed to this. God willing, we know what shoes to wear.

"Any coach has the right, of course, to study us and want to win. We are also studying every team we will face. Of course, I want to win, and he wants to win, which is natural for anyone. But all respect to them."

Tactical Approach: Draw or Victory?

Question: Iran's style might differ from New Zealand and Belgium. We only need a draw, but your nature is—as a player, you always loved to win. Will you change Egypt's tactical style to secure one point, or maintain your style?

Hassan: "I will continue the team's development style and the effort to pursue positive results—that's my goal. At the same time, no one fights for just one goal. I pursue balance—the team must be at 100% both defensively and offensively. Meanwhile, we work in our own way, along with interpreting the opponent's tactics—all aimed at achieving a positive result. So the pursuit of victory must be within the team's balance and system, within the tactical style we play."

On Mohamed Salah

Question: Yesterday in training, we saw a completely different Salah—a happy Salah, a joyful Salah, celebrating like an ordinary Egyptian. What do you have to say about Salah? How have you been interacting with him lately?

Hassan: "To sum it up, it's mutual respect. I always view it this way—when a player trusts his coach, and the coach trusts the player in front of him, then there is belief and respect for everyone. Especially for star players, he has rich experience and knows that the coach in front of him has a specific method, respect, and a serious attitude toward everyone. Everyone gets their due rights, and at the same time, based on his performance, he is given freedom on and off the pitch—according to what is required of him as a big star. Plus, his psychological state and comfort.

"As you've seen many times, during qualifiers or the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Salah experienced some situations at his club, but each time he returned to us, he came back in better form—impacting the team with goals and results. So we help him return to good form.

"Salah is a very smart player who knows who he's dealing with, and at the same time, he benefits—it's a win-win relationship beneficial to the national team. Whether in his original position or where he can have freedom. It's freedom on the pitch, but freedom with order. It's not disorganized.

"My team doesn't rely on one star or one player to play—we operate collectively, understanding coordination in direct and indirect movements. Of course, I don't want to go into too much detail, but Salah responds to this, and it will help him in the coming stages. I use Salah in new ways, playing multiple positions, with freedom, and a broad vision on the pitch."

Source: YouTube Posted in: Shanghai Reads: 746