The win over Enyimba was no difference from the mentioned above. Ahli started the game brightly, and in a better shape than most games they played this season. The Red Devils were unlucky with a couple of real scoring opportunities as well as some refereeing decisions. But in general the first half display was more than acceptable.

Then came the second half with Jose’s copycat replacements. The Portuguese made us feel as if Ahli were playing against Manchester United. After the first ten minutes he became too cautious. And rather than scoring a second and securing a comfortable home win, Ahli unnecessarily turned the game into a hard fought affair.

Jose brought in Anis Boujelbene for Ahmed Sedik. Mohamed Barakat was pulled from a centre attacking position to play at right back and Boujelbene became a second holding midfielder beside Hossam Ashour.

Firstly, when Barakat plays at the back you lose him up front and you don’t gain a full back. Boujelbene is a classic defensive midfielder who’s good in disposing the opponent full stop.

Boujelbene is not good at passing or building up an attack and he’s very slow. Also when Barakat plays at right back he neither defends nor attacks as much as he should. And why do you need to play with two holding midfielders when you’re at home to Enyimba?!

Jose’s second change was bringing Sayed Moawad for Ahmed Hassan and pulling Gilberto to play in the latter’s position with Moawad on the left. Once again you lose a midfielder and don’t gain a full back.

Gilberto is not as good in the centre as he is on the flank. Hassan is a more of an attacking player which fitted well alongside Ashour, but for the rest of the game Ahli had three defensive midfielders, and rather than pressuring Enyimba with Abou-Treika, Hassan and Barakat, Ahli were just laying back and giving the Nigerians the chance to attack.

Jose always tends to apply defensive tactics in each game’s second half. Eventually he blames his players for not pushing up front. But it’s all about using each player according to his own abilities and while Gilberto can’t break through from the middle players like Boujelbene and Ashour only know how to defend without pressuring in attack.

It’s no wonder that over the last two seasons, Ahli have been fighting to win everry big game. Why do that while you’re strong enough to produce better performances and larger margin wins?