The Boss have undertaken a trying trip to Iran’s Zob Ahan, whose away goal in last week’s 1-1 draw in the Garden City has given them the advantage.
A gruelling fixture list for the visitors has added further strain, an extraordinary collapse against Bani Yas last weekend meaning extra time was required to make the upcoming President’s Cup final against Al Jazira which will be played on Sunday.
“We are well aware that our mission will not be easy,” said Dalic about Wednesday’s match at Foolad Shahr Stadium.
“But I always have great confidence in my players.
“I will not look for any excuses before facing Zob Ahan. I will not talk about fatigue or other matches.
“This is because this team has all the ability to achieve great results, no matter the circumstances.”
The Croatian supremo will be keen for history not to repeat itself. At the same point in 2015, a dramatic second-leg surrender helped propel UAE rivals Al Ahli all the way towards a final defeat to China’s Guangzhou Evergrande.
For unbeaten Zob Ahan, 19-year-old forward Mohammadreza Abbasi’s profiting from UAE goalkeeper Khalid Essa’s mistake at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium has filled them full of confidence ahead of the second leg in Isfahan.
Centre-back Vahid Mohammadzadeh insisted his club wanted to take destiny into their own hands as the Crocodiles bid to make the last-eight stage for the first time in five years.
The 27-year-old said: “We will seek to show the best we have in order to achieve our goal against Al Ain, especially after the positive result that we came back from the UAE with.”
