ACL success equal with Europe - Lippi
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E-mail China.org.cn, October 28, 2013
World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi insists winning the AFC Champions League with China's Guangzhou Evergrande would equal his achievement with Italy's Juventus in the European equivalent as the Italian prepares for Saturday's final first leg against Korean counterparts FC Seoul.
Lippi won the UEFA Champions League with Juventus in 1996 and, after leading Italy to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the 65-year-old joined domestic champions Guangzhou in May last year.
He has since won back-to-back Chinese Super League titles, and is now just two games away from handing China a first continental title since Liaoning won the 1990 Asian Club Championship, with the second leg taking place in China at the start of next month.
"I give (the AFC Champions League) a lot of importance," said Lippi, who would be the first coach to win both the AFC Champions League and UEFA Champions League titles.
"Not only are we talking about the tournament, but also because I've been with this team for two years now and I've seen them psychologically and physically grow and the team is much more organised.
"I also appreciate a lot of the support that the fans give us back at home for any sort of tournament we take part in.
"So, obviously, I would give it a lot of importance to win this tournament. I won the UEFA Champions League and this would be at an equal level."
Lippi has confirmed right-back Zhang Linpeng and midfielder Zhao Xuri have recovered from injury and are available for the first leg at Seoul World Cup Stadium, while FC Seoul will be without defender Cha Du-ri due to suspension.
"This is my first time having to play the final over two games, so it's something different for me," added Lippi.
"You have to plan out your game and your tactics. It's a decisive game until the last minute of the second game and you have to be really well prepared for both the first match and the second match."
While Guangzhou are the first Chinese side to reach the final of the continental competition since Dalian Wanda lost the 1998 Asian Club Championship decider to Pohang Steelers, FC Seoul are seeking to keep the AFC Champions League title in Korean hands for a fourth time in five years having become the fifth consecutive K-League side to reach the final.
"In the AFC Champions League Guangzhou have done very well and they have brought up the level of Asian club football. But we have a great tradition and great team spirit and I'm sure we'll play well. I'm expecting a lot of support from our fans and hopefully that will push us towards a win tomorrow," said FC Seoul coach Choi Yong-soo.
"K-League sides do well in AFC Champions League, we have very good players and coaches and when we aim to achieve something, we are confident of achieving that.
"The K-League is very strong in Asia and we have very good teams. Ahead of any game a little bit of pressure is a good thing, but we're comfortable."
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