The captain's late heroics preserved a 0-0 stalemate against Inter Miami on matchday one, the Egypt international clawing Lionel Messi's stoppage-time effort out of the humid Florida night.

Yet the 35-year-old believes a single point is only a platform, not a prize. El-Shenawy, who described duelling the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner as a dream, explained how anticipation rather than reflexes saved the day in Miami.

That moment of foresight typifies the approach Al Ahly will need against a Palmeiras side who peppered Porto with 17 shots yet could not break the deadlock. While Palmeiras have trained at full strength, José Ribeiro's squad must cope without injured trio Emam Ashour, Taher Mohamed Taher and Ahmed Nabil Kouka.

With Group A perfectly poised after three goalless draws, victory for either team would leave them a point away from the last 16.

--ChannelAfrica--