Al Ahly head coach Jose Riveiro has stated that his side are well prepared ahead of their clash with Inter Miami in the opening game of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Riveiro, 49, revealed that the Egyptian champions have a plan to stop eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi and his teammates on Saturday.
What Riveiro said
“Lionel Messi is a great player with exceptional ability and he is well known to the world. He can change the course of any match. His way of reading games and exploiting opportunities is special,” Riveiro said at the press conference, as per Pan African Football.
“But we will work to stop his danger, and we have a ready plan for the match. Not only Messi is dangerous – there are other experienced players in Inter Miami as well.”
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The 49-year old also stated that his side are looking to progress from a difficult group that includes the likes of Palmeiras and FC Porto.
“We have big ambitions in the Club World Cup, and I am trying to give the players more confidence. It is not easy for me as a head coach to take responsibility with the first task being participation in a major tournament like the Club World Cup.
We will try to build on several factors, the most important of which is that Al Ahly is a team that always wins titles and is capable of competing with full strength”, he continued.
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Can Al Ahly stop Messi?
The former Orlando Pirates coach has stated the challenge posed by Messi on the opposing team.
The Argentine wizard is arguably the greatest footballer ever and has scored 15 goals and provided six assists in all competitions for Javier Mascherano’s side this season.
Despite his age, the 2022 World cup winner’s trickery and impact can change the outcome of the game, giving Al Ahly’s defence a tough job ahead of their opening clash at the Hard Rock stadium.
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