Corinthians coach Tite believes that the Fifa Club World Cup is quite balanced this year and with no team of the level of Barcelona, who beat fellow Brazilians Santos 4-0 in the final last year.
Tite, 51, was speaking at a news conference in Japan after watching Al-Ahly defeat Sanfrecce Hiroshima, of Japan, 2-1, and Corinthians will now face the Egyptians in the semi-final on Wednesday.
“I think that you have to face reality,” the coach told reporters.
“I’m humble and do not have to fake or be sober. Facing what is true. If it was Barcelona, who was on this stage against Santos, they would be very difficult to face. I am not diminishing the fact that Santos lost, but they had to make an extraordinary game, out of the ordinary.
“Now come with greater balance of forces. Today I saw Hiroshima play so much alike, with chances that could have won. This balance of forces is the real moment.”
The game was played at 0c temperature with a wind chill of – 2, reminding Tite of his childhood growing up in Caxias do Sul, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which is situated in Southern Brazil next to the mountainous Serra Gaúcha.
“I remember Caxias, from my childhood. Looking at snowflakes, playing in the Serra. I had the opportunity. But it was time. With the cold, loses sensitivity of the feet, the ball control is more difficult. Technical quality suffers.”
And the coach was impressed with Al-Ahly, in particular Mohamad Aboutrika, and knows what to expect on Wednesday.
“Physically imposing, strong players, individual technique, quality passing and anticipation with the four defenders position themselves well, covering well done. They are an experienced team.”
