Speaking with... Al Ain manager Zlatko Dalic

The National's John McAuley catches up with the Al Ain coach ahead of their foray into the Asian Champions League quarter-finals and new Arabian Gulf League season.

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The Al Ain coach talks to John McAuley about their impending Asian Champions League quarter-final with Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia and preparations for the new Arabian Gulf League season.

1 – Asian Champions League

“The most important thing now is to reach the semi-final of the Champions League and we start the season with two big matches,” he said. “We know well that we are asked to double our efforts and complete what we started last season and as one team, we will work to have the best season possible.”

2 – Familiar foes

“I know Ittihad well, as I played them four times when I was Al Hilal coach. They are a big team and I expect a big match from both sides but I trust my players to reach the semi-final with them. The work in the camp was great and we achieved our targets from it.”

3 – Squad changes

“[We hoped] to get skilful and fast players as we aim to play at a faster rhythm next season. Rashid Essa is excellent, but needs time, and Mohammed Fawzy is a skilled player. Jires Kembo-Ekoko and Miroslav Stoch are fast and so could quickly get used to our style.”

4 – Returning star

On bringing back Kembo-Ekoko to the team: “There are three reasons: I know his value on the pitch; the extraordinary level he showed last season at El Jaish [he was loaned to the Qatari side in 2013/14]; he already knows the team very well.”

5 – Leader on the pitch

On the importance of Hilal Saeed, the veteran midfielder: “He is a great player and an example to the others. I sometimes need a coach on the pitch – he has the respect of his colleagues and has all the traits of a leader.”

jmcauley@thenational.ae

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