'Pyramids' Victory over 'Esperance': Krunoslav Jurcic on Champions League Hopes

'Pyramids' coach Krunoslav Jurcic underscores the necessity of winning the upcoming match against 'Esperance' to secure a spot in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals.

"Pyramids" head coach Krunoslav Jurcic maintains that his team must achieve a victory in the forthcoming TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Group D encounter against "Esperance" to keep alive their quarter-final aspirations.

Addressing the buildup to Sunday's game in Cairo, the Croatian coach stressed the importance of recovering after the 1-0 loss in Rades. "There is no alternative to winning this match, particularly after the setback in Rades," Jurcic mentioned. "We need to compensate to make strides towards qualifying for the African Champions League quarter-finals."

The coach disclosed that his squad faced significant challenges during their last match against "Esperance", with multiple players plagued by illnesses and injuries. "We encountered difficult conditions in the Rades game due to the absence of several players with severe colds. Despite a solid performance, we lost," he elucidated. "The circumstances are different now, with most players returning, and we are eager to secure the three points before heading to Angola for the fifth round."

Jurcic dismissed concerns regarding the refereeing controversies from the previous match, including a controversial offside goal. "I am not overly concerned with the refereeing issue and what transpired in Rades. We must remain focused on the field and ensure we don’t drop any points in Cairo," he emphasized.

"Pyramids" currently stand second in Group D with four points, trailing group leaders "Esperance", who hold seven points. A triumph in Cairo would be a major boost to their chances of advancing to the quarter-finals. Jurcic's team is keen to exploit their home edge and shift the group’s momentum as the tournament moves into critical phases.