Zamalek head coach Patrice Carteron has responded to criticism about his team selection following their slender win over Ceramica Cleopatra.

The defending Egyptian Premier League champions registered a 1-0 win over Cleopatra, with Mostafa Fathi getting the only goal on Thursday.

The Frenchman has defended his decision to play without a recognised striker and used Pep Guardiola's Manchester City as an example.

“I relied on all the players with the pressure of the matches. The players aren’t getting enough rest.

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“I aim to prepare all players to participate at any time. Ahmed Fatouh played as a left-winger, a position where he played before. Islam Gaber and Abdallah Gomaa also play in more than one position.

“If I lose, I will be criticized, and if I win, everyone will praise me. Guardiola plays without a striker and is not criticized.

“Which player from the current 20-man squad, can I replace with youth players? There are none, all of them are playing well now.

“The team will have a week’s rest before resuming training for the two league matches in December. The league schedule is very strange,” he concluded.

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