The passionate Champions League extravaganza is about to unfold on Monday night, when the reigning champions of European glory will face the shining jewel of Asian soccer in what will undoubtedly be the top showdown of the year!
Looking back at the last Asian Champions League, Ai Aan's performance was fabulous as his quick counter-attacking tactics almost put Hilal on their heels, eventually defeating Yokohama Mariners in the final. However, the first two rounds of this season's group stage are in a worrying situation as they have only scored one point.
The core of Aaan's tactics lies in the high-speed breaks and precise shooting of Sofiane Rahimi, and the dynamic creativity of Kagu. In their last matchup, the duo teamed up to take down Hilal's defense, and it looks like they will continue to cause problems for their opponents this time around.
However, the Iaan defense should not be overlooked as well, as solid defense in the midfield by Park Ryong-woo and the four guards will be crucial and must effectively contain Hilal's forward pack.
Hilal had a strong performance in the first two rounds of the group stage, winning all the matches, scoring 8 goals and conceding 1, with excellent performance in both offense and defense.
The midfield duo of Milian Govi Shavik and Rubin Neves is probably the most dominant midfield force in this year's Asian Champions League. They are solid in defense and threatening in attack. The central pairing of Ghorepani and Ebrahim, on the other hand, is reliable defensively but tends to create surprises when attacking corners. Meanwhile, we must keep an eye on Sofiane Rahimi's movements.
Aidah Shahri, a top player in the Asian Champions League, will naturally pose a huge threat to the opposition. And Alexandre Mizouwick, a physical player who specializes in high-flying contests, will be the key to changing the game.
Despite the fact that Aaan had a great run in the last quarterfinals, this is a tough one to win or lose. It is expected that Hilal will manage to get his revenge with a great performance and Aleksandar Mizunovic is also expected to be the hero of the tournament.
