Argentina giants Boca Juniors insist they will play with their usual attacking flair when they take on Tunisian surprise package Etoile Sahel in the Club World Cup semi-finals in Tokyo today.
"We're not going to do something different against them. We will do what we have always done," Boca's coach Miguel Angel Russo said ahead of their opening match in the tournament of continental champions, which also features AC Milan.
"We will score goals no matter what and win. That is our style and I'm not going to change it against any opponents," Russo said.
Etoile, the African champions who are packed with young talent, upset the odds to beat Mexico's Pachuca 1-0 in their opening match with an 85th-minute goal from midfielder Moussa Narry.
Etoile's French coach Bertrand Marchand said they had nothing to lose in the match of their life against Boca.
"They are a big club and have different potential," Marchand said of the Argentinians. "They are highly technical and a more offensive team than ours."
But he admitted that the likely scenario in the final would be South America against Europe.
"I think the final showdown will be fought between South American and Europe clubs. Boca and Milan are at a high level. We feel happy just being able to fight such a team," he said.
Boca coach Russo pointed to Etoile's defensive game with four players deep in midfield.
"In any way, we will shake them off balance and turn their errors into our goals," he said.
Russo added that all his players were fit with some having recovered from injuries sustained in the domestic league, where Boca are currently second to Lanus.
"Every player is ready to go out onto the pitch," he said.
Marchand pinpointed Boca captain Martin Palermo as a key threat, but is also wary of their defensive strengths.
"He is a star indeed. He has headed in many goals. We need to check him thoroughly," Marchand said of striker Palermo.
"Boca are full of experienced players who have played on the big stage of the world. They are totally different from us," he said.
Marchand said though that his side were drawing strength from "faith as a team."
"Those who fight in earnest win," he said.
■ URAWA REDS V AC MILAN
Asian champions Urawa Reds say the pressure is all on AC Milan as they look to defy the odds to take the Italian giant's scalp in the Club World Cup semi-finals tomorrow.
Confidence is running through the Japanese club after a morale-boosting 3-1 win over Iran's Sepahan in their quarter-final clash on Monday, a repeat of their two-leg AFC Champions League victory last month.
While AC Milan will be hot favorites to reach Sunday's final, Urawa refuse to be daunted by the task of taking on the European champions in Yokohama.
"The pressure is on our opponents to win," Urawa striker and former Brazil international Washington said after scoring his team's second against Sepahan in Toyota.
"Urawa are on the verge of making history. We want to take advantage of the momentum and go for it," the 32-year-old said.
The Red Diamonds have been on a rollercoaster this past month.
After beating Sepahan in the AFC final on Nov. 14, they then lost their J-League title on the final day of the season and went out in the fourth round of the Emperor's Cup tournament as holders.
Urawa are the first Japanese side to join the Club World Cup of continental champions since the competition was created in 2005.
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