KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) head coach Hector Bidoglio remains optimistic though they face a formidable Shanghai Port in their Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) opener at the Pudong Arena on Wednesday.
The 2023 Chinese Super League champions are led by Brazilian Oscar, a former Chelsea star. Shanghai Port also feature players such as China national defender Tyias Browning (who had played for Everton and Sunderland), midfielder Matheus Jussa, (who previously played for Qatar SC) and striker Gustavo (who had played for Jeonbuk SC).
Venezuelan Bidoglio, who is on his first ACLE assignment with the Southern Tigers, believes in JDT's strength and team depth.
"Our goal is to be competitive, advance to the next stage, and fully commit to the competition. It is a demanding tournament, but we have a talented squad.
"We need to showcase our identity and adaptability. Our preparation has been meticulous, and we believe we can make a significant impact," he said.
Bidoglio acknowledged Shanghai Port's strengths, but is ready to counteract them. The Shanghai side are known for their possession-based approach and aggressive play.
"Shanghai Port have a roster full of individual talent who excel in a cohesive team setup. They dominate possession and are always on the attack.
"However, we also have exceptional players. My tactical approach focuses on attacking, compact defending, and maintaining possession, which should make for a balanced contest. Playing away is challenging, but we are prepared," said Bidoglio.
JDT's best continental performance came in 2022 when they reached the last 16 but were defeated 5-0 by Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds.
However, with a revamped squad including new signings in South Korean defender Park Jun Heong and Colombian striker Jorge Obregon, JDT aim to do much better on the Asian stage this season.