Having never played in the Champions League during his endeavours with Nantes, Grenoble and Red Star Belgrade, Milos Dimitrijevic is eager to experience continental competition when he lines up for the Sky Blues in the AFC Champions League on Wednesday week.
Dimitrijevic admitted he knew little of the Sky Blues opponents in Group H, however he believes the clashes will be a good test and measure for Sydney FC as they face clubs who have spent excessively during the recent transfer period.
“I expect to see a lot of good football at a high level,” Dimitrijevic said.
“In the AFC Champions League you see the best teams in Asia and I expect to feel the high level carry over to here as I to try to do something with my team in the competition.
“I’m looking forward to getting our group underway, I’m excited by what is ahead.
“I don’t know much about our group opponents,” he continued.
“I know they are three very good teams in each country, they are the best teams from each country. They will be tough games but it’s a good opportunity for us to play against these big teams.
“They spent a lot of money, especially in the last few weeks, so it will be good for us to play against them and prove that we also have good qualities and can match it with them.”
Going from the temperate summer climate of Sydney to the frigid winters of Asia will prove a test for Sydney FC’s squad, and Dimitrijevic called on his squad to ignore all the external factors and just focus on their football when matchday arrives.
“It will be a big change going to the cold climate,” he said.
“We have to do it though, and we have to be prepared to play our game the best that we can in the conditions. We have to forget all the things around us and focus on the game.
“It’s never easy to play so many games close together, you have to take care of your body, and all the staff will make sure we do the stretching and drink water all the time.
“We have very good staff and physios, they’ll take care of us and hopefully we will be fit for each game.”
Sydney FC kick off their AFC Champions League 2016 campaign away to Urawa Red Diamond at Saitama Stadium 2002 on Wednesday 24 February (kick off 9:30pm AEDT). Catch the game live on Fox Sports 4 or follow @SydneyFC on Twitter for updates.
Sydney FC’s 2016 AFC Champions League campaign proudly supported by StarTrack and UNSW
Sydney FC welcome Guangzhou Evergrande to Sydney Football Stadium for their first home AFC Champions League match of the group stage on Wednesday 2 March (kick off 8pm AEDT). Get your AFC Champions League Membership today and see the Sky Blues take on the best in Asia at home!
