Guangzhou Evergrande host Urawa Reds in AFC Champions League clash
Super League champs Evergrande plan to build on last season's quarter-final appearance as season kicks off with Urawa Reds clash
Guangzhou Evergrande go into the new AFC Champions League season with coach Marcello Lippi confident that the club can build on their impressive showing during their debut in the competition last year.
The Chinese Super League champions - who retained both their league and Chinese FA Cup titles last season - reached the quarter-finals of the 2012 AFC Champions League, only to fall to two-time winners Al-Ittihad from Saudi Arabia.
Tonight will see Guangzhou go head to head with another former winner, as J.League outfit Urawa Reds take on Lippi's side at Tianhe Stadium in the clubs' opening Group F encounter of this year's campaign. And the Italian World Cup winner is itching for the action to start.
"I am not nervous, but I am a bit excited," he said. "The new season is about to start and I'm happy. I don't like it when there is only training; one match every three days is a good tempo.
I am not nervous, but I am a bit excited. The new season is about to start and I'm happy
"We are ready for tomorrow's match, and hopefully we can show our spirit and style in the game."