Dubai: Al Wasl are going all out for the win against Al Muharraq in Bahrain in the first leg of the GCC Champions League final Tuesday night .
The return leg will be played in Dubai at Zabeel Stadium on Sunday but for now, coach Diego Maradona is only focusing on triumph in the away fixture at Khalifa Stadium in Manama’s Eisa Sports City from 8.15pm [UAE time] this evening in what would be his last shot for a silverware this season.
Maradona said: “We are trying to win the final from the first leg. There will be no defensive mindset, contrary to that we will build and enforce an attacking formation to take control of the middle and stop their attack and from there cause problems for their defence.”
The coach went on to explain that their opponents Al Muharraq were a very strong team with a good home record of just one home loss in eight this season, but added Al Wasl had studied the Bahraini league runners-up well and prepared for 180 minutes of football.
El Diego added: “We expect difficulties. No match is easy against opponents who also want to win. The struggle will be in the middle for ball possession and the team able to keep control of the midfield stands a better chance of winning. We hope to be able to overcome them on their own turf.
“This is a very important match for us and we are very serious about it. If we do win this championship it would bring a lot of happiness to the club that we haven’t had so far this season.”
With news that one member of the Al Muharraq board had said Maradona wouldn’t leave Bahrain as happy as he did following their GCC Champions League group phase win over Al Riffa, Maradona replied: “That’s interesting. I’ve no doubt he wants his team to win and I understand his passion but words will not stop me. Remember he still has to return here for the second on our home turf.
“I don’t think I will be as welcomed to Bahrain as much as last time [against Al Riffa]. That welcome was great with flowers, shirts and photos. But due to the intensity of this match I don’t think it will be the same environment.”
