Pyramids coach calls game vs Zamalek a derby, criticizes VAR consistency in Egyptian league

Pyramids head coach Krunoslav Jurcic described his team’s upcoming Egyptian Super Cup semifinal clash against Zamalek as a “derby,” emphasizing the fine margins that often decide such encounters.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Jurcic said:

“The match against Zamalek is a derby and a big game that will be decided by small details — they always make the difference. We are in good spirits, especially inside the dressing room, and we are fully ready for tomorrow’s match.”

The Croatian coach took the opportunity to voice his criticism about the VAR system used in the last Super Cup, questioning its usage efficiency:

“In last season’s Super Cup semifinal, we scored a goal in the final second and the VAR check took just a few moments. But in the league, when there’s a controversial situation, the review can last between five and ten minutes — that’s strange. Anyway, this is a new competition, and we’re focused on giving our best.”

When asked whether he preferred to face Al Ahly or Ceramica Cleopatra in the potential final, Jurcic was diplomatic:

“Both teams are very good sides.”

Jurcic also highlighted a key factory in last season’s success:

“Timing is everything in modern football. Teams don’t wait for a coach’s ideas to settle anymore — that was a crucial factor in our success last season. We also have a group of quality players, and that combination helped us win titles.”

Jurcic pointed out that Pyramids are dealing with notable absences:

“We’re missing important players like Mostafa Fathi, Ramadan Sobhi, Blati Touré, and Youssef Obama, but matches like these are always decided by small details.”

He concluded with a reflection on the difficulty of maintaining success:

“One of the hardest things as a coach is to stay at the top. It’s easy to reach the summit, but staying there is much harder. We’ve won several trophies recently, and both myself and the club share great ambition. We want to achieve something special for this team.”

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