Al Ain: Gremio coach Renato Portaluppi said his side’s Fifa Club World Cup semi-final against Pachuca would be the match of their lives.
The Brazilian Copa Libertadores-winning outfit have a bye to Tuesday’s semi at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain from 9pm, while Mexican side Pachuca got this far by winning their quarter-final 1-0 against Wydad Casablanca in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Both sides will compete for a chance to play the winner of the other semi-final between Real Madrid and Al Jazira in Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City on Wednesday, in Saturday’s final at the same venue.
“Don’t think you’ll see the same side that played in the last game,” said Portaluppi in reference to Pachuca’s lacklustre last win over Wydad in the quarter. “Each game is different and this will be the match of their lives. It’s the match of our lives as well.
“Gremio respects every single opponent regardless of how they play,” he added.
“There’s no point talking about Real Madrid yet because we know we have a semi to get through first. We don’t even know if Real will win their game to be in the final.
“The main objective for us is Pachuca, only after that game is finished will we be able to think about what happens next.
“We have studied our opponent well, know their style and will try to neutralise it. But we have our own way of playing and won’t change it. It’s worked for us throughout the year and most importantly in the Copa Libertadores final, so there’s no reason to change, we’ll just cancel out what they play. We are ready in every sense.”
Of Barcelona target Arthur missing the match through injury, he added: “Without question he’s helped us and he’s a very good player, but Gremio never depends on one player. Throughout the year we’ve had different players in every position who always have the same level of quality.
“There are others with the skills to step in. You cannot count on everyone all the time. Arthur got hurt but his replacement will have their own qualities, and will help the team in their own way.
“Unity and the quality of this team is what I’m most proud of. The Brazilian press has praised us for playing the best football. I’m so happy about that as it shows our work is going well. But we cannot only play beautiful football, we have to conquer teams and win titles, which we have done, but playing beautifully and winning praise is what makes us proud and we hope to do the same in the semi-final.”
