Juan Carlos: All set to Win Al Hilal At Home Armed with Top Fighting Spirit and Determination
Al Ain head coach, Spain’s Juan Carlos Garrido, opened the pre-match press conference of the first leg match of Group C of the AFC Champions League by emphasizing that the Boss’ match against Saudi Arabi’s Al Hilal is so important given it’s the first match in the team’s journey in this big Asian competition. “We all aware that it will be a big clash match as it is between two big teams in Asia. This requires that we are to show our genuine quality skills and high concentration.”
He also said: “Personally, I do understand the importance of this confrontation in particular given that the team’s players are highly-motivated to be included in the starting line-up. Also, I am required to manage the situation regardless the challenges we face. Indeed, Al Ain is a big team and required to win all our matches with due respect to our opponents.”
Commenting on a question whether the current coach of Al Hilal knowing the smallest details of Al Ain rises any concerns to him, Juan Carlos stated: “Yes, both the players and Al Hilal coach know each other well. However, the most important thing in such situations is the player himself. All the squad knows well what they are meant to do on the pitch as of the kickoff whistle until the end of the match. Yes, I am with the team for a very short period and analyze and assess the team’s performance after each match. Definitely, each match is completely different, and the Champions League is completely different competition. This what I felt and observe in all my players. They train and play football with passion and fight hard to be part of the starting line-up in tomorrow’s match.”
“Honestly, I have a past experience in UEFA Champions League, CAF Champions League and tomorrow it will be my first experience in the AFC Champions League. Yet, it is all different here; everything here is perfect, and this is the secret behind the high quality and the quality of the players with grans and big capabilities. The most important thing tomorrow is the fighting spirit,” Garrido said in response to a question on his feelings as it his first time in Asia.
On whether Hamed Doumbia is ready for the match and missing Caio’s efforts due to the suspension decision taken by the AFC, he said: “Doumbia is a great midfielder and has high level skills. He continued to attend the training sessions and he fit for tomorrow’s confrontation. As for Caio, unfortunately he will not play but we have the right replacement who along with his teammate will do their best to achieve the desired goal.”
