Luis Milla has vowed to improve Al Jazira as he admitted he would have preferred an easier Pro League debut than a trip to champions and league leaders Al Ain.
The Spaniard could not have asked for a harder double-header to get his Jazira reign under way than an AFC Champions League trip to Iran followed by a game against local rivals Al Ain, on their own turf, tonight.
A 4-1 win over Al Dhafra in their last outing under Milla’s predecessor Paulo Bonamigo coupled with a shock 1-0 defeat for The Boss at the hands of Dibba Al Fujairah has seen the champions’ lead at the top of the table cut to six points.
However, with their midweek results in Asia the momentum appears to have shifted back towards the hosts as they sealed an impressive 3-1 win over Al Hilal while Jazira lost 2-0 against Tractor Sazi.
“This game is of maximum importance,” Milla said. “We have the ambition to go and win the game. Last week, the team cut the difference from nine points to six points to Al Ain.
“We now have a big and great opportunity to get three points off Al Ain and bring us back in the league. From our side, we know the importance of the game and the players know that and that’s a plus for us. These games are special games for the players and we know they will love to play in this game.”
Milla has grand designs in Abu Dhabi, having been tasked with bringing attractive football to the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
“We have seen where we have to work and where we can improve. We would like to play a team that is not as good as Al Ain. “We will try to do our best to get a good result,” the Spaniard added.
“This club wants to win everything and to win everything we have to win against Al Ain [so we can] compete for the league.”
Both Milla and opposite number Cosmin Olaroiu agree that an incoming coach can cause an upswing in performance at his new club.
“When there is a change in coach the players all try to work hard,” Milla, who has a full squad to choose from bar the suspended Salem Ali, said.
Romanian Olaroiu though should welcome back Asamoah Gyan for the derby, after the Ghanaian was restricted to a goalscoring cameo against Hilal.
* LIVE English commentary will be provided for the match on Abu Dhabi Sports Extra and HD. The match kicks off at 8:15pm.
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