Zamalek head coach Jose Gomes took responsibility for his side’s 1-0 defeat to Smouha in the Egyptian Premier League.
The White Knights suffered their fifth defeat of the campaign on Sunday when they travelled to face Smouha in Alexandria.
Abubakar Liadi’s second-half strike was the difference as Zamalek now trail arch-rivals Al Ahly by three points in 12th place.
This comes right before their highly-anticipated CAF Confederation Cup final against RS Berkane with the first leg set to take place next week.
“We wanted to win the game but this is football,” Gomes said in the press conference. “I think we played well overall.
“It is possible that you have a good game but don’t win. We controlled the game but we didn’t take our chances.
“I take full responsibility for the defeat. It was my decision to field a different team and this is due to the run of games we’ve had lately.”