Sagrada eye 'vital point' in Zamalek fortress to revive fortunes

Sagrada Esperanca boss Roque Sapiri accepts that emerging from Cairo with any kind of result against Zamalek this weekend would represent "a good outcome" for his beleaguered side.

The Angolans have taken just three points from their opening two TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group games to sit third in Group B.

And Sapiri knows hopes of progression are fading fast ahead the daunting trip to face runaway leaders and home bankers Zamalek.

"If the match ends in a draw, it will be in Zamalek's favour but also a good result for us away," the pragmatic coach noted pre-match.

Sagrada at least arrive armed with first-hand experience of the Egyptian giants having previously faced them in the CAF Champions League.

But Sapiri warned: "Zamalek has changed. There is a new coach and the style of play is different. The players have a new mentality."

Nonetheless, the Angolans still harbour hopes of snatching a precious point to revive their campaign against the odds.

"The least we expect is to clinch a point," insisted striker Luis Tati. "We have prepared well and will fight for it."

Tati and co face the ominous task of subduing Zamalek's free-scoring attack on their own patch, with the hosts chasing a third straight group win.

But Sapiri draws confidence from facing a side he insists Sagrada's "experienced players" know inside-out.

And if the Angolans can stifle Egyptian dangerman 'Zizo', they may yet prove party poopers to spoil the leaders' homecoming celebrations this weekend.