Interesting Facts on Al Ahly-Real Madrid Tonight's Encounter

Tonight, the African Club of the Century, Al Ahly, will face the European Club of the Century Real Madrid for the semi-final of the FIFA Club World Cup. 

Here are interesting facts about tonight's game:

-This game will be the first official encounter between both teams. It will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

-They collided against each other for one friendly game back in 2001in Cairo after receiving their historical club of the century titles. The game ended with Al Ahly's victory 1-0.

-Uruguayan referee Andrés Matonte was appointed to take charge of the semi-final game.

-The 34-year-old FIFA referee will be assisted by countrymen Nicolás Taran and Martin Soppi as well as Iván Barton of El Salvador.

-Swiss Marcel Koller is the fifth coach and the third foreign one who headed Al Ahly for the FIFA Club World Cup.

Manuel Jose was the most one who headed Al Ahly at the FIFA Club World Cup tournament three times in 2005, 2006, and 2008, followed by Pitso Mosimane who led Al Ahly to the tournament twice in 2020 and 2021.

This is the eighth participation for Al Ahly at the FIFA Club World Cup, and the third successively.

Al Ahly won the Bronze medal three times in 2006, 2020, and 2021, while Real Madrid won the tournament four times in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018