‘Experience not enough to beat Pachuca’: Ahly’s Koller warns

Ahmed Ghandour , Friday 13 Dec 2024

Ahly coach Marcel Koller has warned that his team's large experience in the Intercontinental Cup won't secure victory over Mexico's Pachuca in the semifinal.

Koller
File Photo: Ahly’s coach Koller. Photo courtesy of Ahly’s X account.

 

The Cairo giants are set to face the Mexican side at Stadium 974 in Doha on Saturday, aiming for a spot in the final against Real Madrid.

"We have the experience for these matches, but we have also to show a strong performance on the pitch. We’re facing a strong opponent, as seen in their previous game. Experience alone won’t guarantee victory," Koller said during the pre-match press conference on Friday.

The Swiss tactician emphasized a strong offensive approach and urged his players to deliver their best performance. "We’ve been discussing attacking strategies in our sessions. Tomorrow, we must play with strength and determination to win. Our fans, if present, will also play a crucial role as the 12th player," he noted.

The Red Devils' coach acknowledged Pachuca’s impressive 3-0 win in their previous match, but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to progress to the final. “Pachuca look sharp, but we’re aiming to win and reach the Intercontinental Cup final to face Real Madrid.”

Determined to make a statement on the global stage, Koller stressed the importance of returning home with a trophy. "We don’t want to return to Cairo without a trophy. We’re missing a global title, and this match is the first step towards that. It’s a match that could open doors for us to win an international title. We don’t want to come back empty-handed," he added.

Ahly advanced to the tournament’s semifinal after a commanding 3-0 victory over UAE’s Al Ain in the Continental Cup, showcasing their readiness for the challenge ahead.

The winner of the Ahly-Pachuca clash will meet Real Madrid in the Intercontinental Cup final on Wednesday at Lusail Stadium in Doha.

In Ahly's previous nine participations in the Club World Cup, Ahly claimed four bronze medals but never advancved to the final.

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