Al-Sadd head coach Razvan Lucescu has confirmed that the Wolves are ready for their AFC Champions League Elite clash against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in the second round of the competition, which will be played at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday evening.
“We expect a difficult match in a competition that is challenging in every game. This is our second match in this edition of the tournament, and we know we are also coming off a domestic defeat. However, we are not thinking about anything other than the match against Al Hilal. After the league game, we discussed the defeat, even though we had put in a good performance,” Lucescu said.
“We have an opportunity to continue our work in the match against Al Hilal. Yes, I coached Al Hilal previously, and they are an excellent team with good players at present. They are on the right track. This match also has a personal significance for me because I will be facing a former club. However, I am now the head coach of Al-Sadd, and I am looking to achieve the best possible result. We must regain the focus we have lacked in our last three matches,” Lucescu added.
Meanwhile, Al-Sadd player Paulo Otavio said: “This is the most important match for us at this stage, given its timing. We are facing one of the best clubs in Asia, and we are looking to secure our first win in this edition of the competition.
“I am confident that we will put in a good performance and win this match, so we are working to ensure we are fully prepared. Our fans are always keen to attend, be present and support the players, and I expect the same against Al Hilal.”
