Al-Sadd Head Coach Xavi Hernandez rates Ahmed Musa and his Al-Nassr teammates highly, but also expects his side to edge past the Saudi Arabian champions to reach the AFC Champions League semis.
Xavi guided the two-time AFC Champions League winners to the quarter-final on Tuesday with victory over local rivals Al-Duhail; winning 4-2 on aggregate.
The Former Barcelona player said after the 3-1 second-leg victory, “We are very happy to qualify for the quarter-final. I am very happy with the team because they did an outstanding job.
“As I said yesterday, Al-Duhail are one of the best teams in the Middle East with players who have played together for 7-8 years. So our achievement is amazing.”
On his side’s chances against Al-Nassr, who were crowned champions of the Saudi PL last season, “It will be a tough game against Al-Nassr, we saw their game yesterday – they have excellent players but our aim will be to reach the semis.
“But now, the team is celebrating and we will then think about the Sheikh Jassim Cup, after that, the league and then, the Champions League.”
