Egypt should have Mohamed Salah fit for World Cup but either way Héctor Cúper sets the team up very defensively

This article is part of the Guardian’s 2018 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 32 countries who have qualified for Russia. theguardian.com is running previews from two countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 14 June.

Egypt may have one of the best players in the world in Mohamed Salah but do not let that fool you – this is a team set up very defensively under Héctor Cúper. In his first 35 games as Egypt manager the Argentinian conceded only 20 goals.



While the nation holds its breath over the injury Salah suffered in the Champions League final, and the latest bulletins suggest he will be fine but may miss the opening game against Uruguay, Cúper has carried on with his preparations for the tournament.

Essam El-Hadary: Egypt's 45-year-old goalkeeper stands on brink of history Read more

His defensive mindset is instilled into the squad and in his 4-2-3-1 lineup, with the two holding midfielders, Mohamed Elneny and Tarek Hamed, expected to sit deep.



Meanwhile, the veteran goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, who is expected to start, is not concerned by his age: “I am 45 years old and I can’t argue about that but, for me, this is just a number on a paper.”



The defence will be made up of Mohamed Abdel-Shafy at left-back (or Karim Hafez if he has recovered from injury) with the two West Bromwich Albion defenders Ali Gabr and Ahmed Hegazi at centre-back and the versatile Ahmed Fathi at right-back.

One of Egypt’s main weaknesses, which must be addressed before the World Cup, is the baffling manner in which they concede goals. Fourteen of those 20 goals let in under Cúper came from crosses, which seems remarkable for a side whose defensive partnership of Hegazi and Gabr has an average height of 1.95m and who are so often praised for their defensive acumen.

Going forward Cúper prefers three attacking midfielders and one up front. Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet”, Abdallah El Said and Mohamed Salah will make up that triumvirate with Trezeguet hoping to emulate his club form at Kasimpasa, saying: “I hope to be able to reproduce the performances I have had here [in Turkey] at the World Cup. I want to help the national team as much as I can.”

On the right side Egypt will rely heavily on Salah, who offers the pace, strength and goals they desperately need. The Liverpool forward will need to recover from his shoulder injury and focus on the football after an image rights dispute with the Egyptian FA unnerved him towards the end of the season.

Said will pull the strings in central midfield and up front will be Marwan Mohsen. His is a rather thankless task. The Al-Ahly striker has to close down the opponents’ defence, chase whatever long balls the defenders hoof towards him and try to hold up play so that he can either turn and shoot or, more likely, feed one of the attacking midfielders.

Egypt may struggle to score many goals but teams will find it hard to break them down. In recent friendlies against Portugal and Greece the Pharaohs were tested against stronger opposition for the first time and, although they lost, the scorelines of 2-1 and 1-0 showed that they have the grit and determination to test even the best sides.

Probable starting XI

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Egypt probable starting XI

Which player is going to surprise everyone at the World Cup?

Kasimpasa’s Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet”, named after David Trezeguet for his slight resemblance to the former France striker, has impressed in his first season in Turkey, on loan from Anderlecht. The winger had, by mid-May, amassed 13 goals and six assists in his first season and could be the one who steps up to make people realise that Egypt are not just Salah.

Which player is likely to disappoint?

Mohamed Elneny’s form had been picking up in the second half of the season and his excellent performances for Arsenal earned him a long-term contract extension in March but then he suffered an ankle injury. He will be back for the World Cup but may lack match fitness.

What is the realistic aim for Egypt at the World Cup and why?

Egypt fans will be hoping that Salah is fully fit and that his scintillating performances this season can inspire the rest of a rather lacklustre team to make it out of a group also featuring Uruguay, Russia and Saudi Arabia. The perception in Egypt is that the Pharaohs have the ability to reach the last 16 and anything less would be a disappointment. “Uruguay are the best team but after that we can all fight for second place and, if someone thinks otherwise, I will be ready to listen to their arguments in my office,” Héctor Cúper said recently.

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Ahmad Yousef writers for Kingfut.com.

Follow him on Twitter here.

Click here for a profile of Egypt’s Essam El-Hadary.