Before the second leg of the AFC Champions League quarter-finals, Paxtakor head coach Pedru Moreyra and team midfielder Jonatan Lukka participated in a press conference, sharing their thoughts on the important match against Al Hilal.
"Al Hilal" is a strong opponent, but we are ready
The Portuguese coach emphasized that despite the victory in the first match, the return leg will be very challenging:
"We know it will be a difficult match. Al Hilal is not only one of the strongest teams in the Elite ACL but also in all of Asia. They always strive to control the ball and be active in attack. In the first game, we managed to stop them, and we achieved victory because we played an excellent game in Tashkent. Tomorrow we will also try to show good football and achieve our goal."
Moreyra noted that Al Hilal performs very strongly at home, which will be a serious test for Paxtakor.
Match against Jorge Jesus – a clash of coaches
Moreyra specifically mentioned Al Hilal head coach Jorge Jesus:
"Jorge Jesus is one of the most decorated specialists participating in this competition. His experience and influence on the team are significant. Last season, he set a world record with Al Hilal for an unbeaten streak. He is not a new person for me; I have worked with him. But now we are rivals, and I will fight for victory with my team."
Fans put great pressure on the team
The coach emphasized that Al Hilal creates an amazing atmosphere at home, noting that the pressure from the fans will be the biggest challenge for the team:
"We play under very high pressure. Saudi club fans support their team in every way. This creates difficulties for us, but such matches enhance the players' experience. Moreover, we also have very wonderful fans, and their support will be a great help for us."
The team is ready for battle!
Moreyra pointed out that it is important for Paxtakor to believe in victory:
"We have united as a team. We are acting together. Even though we were the last team to reach the playoff stage, we are fighting on the field with our game and character. Al Hilal is the favorite, but we also believe in our strength and will act accordingly on the field tomorrow."
The team relies on players like Flamarion and Riaskos in attack, but the coach emphasized that there are several players in the Paxtakor squad capable of changing the course of the game.
It is worth noting that Paxtakor, representing Uzbekistan, will be a guest of Al Hilal today. The match between Al Hilal and Paxtakor will start on the night of March 11 to March 12 at 01:00 Tashkent time at the Kingdom Arena stadium in Riyadh.
In their first encounter, the "Lions" won 1-0.
