Lippi predicts tough game against Al Ahly
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E-mail Xinhua, December 11, 2013
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Lippi's Guangzhou Evergrande becomes the first Chinese side to win ACL title. |
Guangzhou Evergrande coach Marcello Lippi has predicted a tough battle when they meet African champions Al Ahly in the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday.
"They (Al Ahly) are obviously a good team, well-organized. They are physically and mentally prepared well for the match. It will be a tough match for both of us," Lippi told a pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
"But, hopefully, we can make through to meet Bayern," added the 65-year-old Italian.
Guangzhou Evergrande is making debut in the Club World Cup, while Al Ahly had appeared at the tournament four times previously - 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012. The winners between them will advance to take on European champions Bayern Munich next week in the semifinals.
Lippi also paid tribute to Bayern coach Pep Guardiola.
"I can see he has been instilling his philosophy and ideas into the team with positive effect since his arrival. They are no doubt the best team in the world today," said Lippi.
When asked to compare the Club World Cup and the World Cup, Lippi, who steered Italy to win the World Cup in 2006, said, "Leading your country to win the Word Cup is nothing to be compared with. The World Cup is at a level above any other tournament."
As Morocco is hosting the Club World Cup for the first time, Lippi complained about frequent changes of the training grounds.
"We started training right after our arrival two days ago. Yesterday we were asked to go to a different pitch for training. Today we are told to train in the third pitch," he said.
"We hope to avoid such a frequent change of the pitches. We need to get used to the field."
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