Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/china/article/1808836/gregorio-manzano-beijing-guoan-will-go-win-against-jeonbuk-motors China
Gregorio Manzano: Beijing Guoan will go for the win against Jeonbuk Motors
A draw will suffice for the capital side, but they're going all out for the win at Workers' Stadium
Beijing Guoan's Zhang Chengdong (right) challenges for the ball with Jeonbuk Motors forward Lee Dong-gook during their first leg last 16 clash. Photo: Xinhua
While a goalless draw will be enough to see Beijing Guoan advance to the last eight of the AFC Champions League for the first time, head coach Gregorio Manzano is targeting a win for his Chinese Super League side in the second leg of their last-16 meeting with Jeonbuk Motors on Tuesday night.
The teams drew the first leg 1-1 in South Korea last week thanks to a late penalty from Pablo Batalla, and that goal means the capital-based club can squeeze into the draw for the quarter-finals if tonight’s game finishes scoreless.
But Manzano will eschew the defensive approach and attempt to pick up the win that will ensure his side eliminate the 2006 champions and maintain a run that has seen a Chinese side in the last eight of the competition for the last three seasons.
“This will be a crucial match in the club’s history,” he said. “We will do our best and win the game.
“It will be a very intense game, Jeonbuk is a strong team. But we are playing at home with the support from our fans, I believe we can make history by qualifying for the last eight of the Champions League for the first time.
“Jeonbuk has to play with everything they have, because they have nothing to lose. This is very realistic.”
Gregorio Manzano has been bullish about his sides intentions ahead of the return leg in Beijing. Photo: EPA
Guangzhou will embark on their bid to overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit against Seongnam FC on Wednesday night, while Beijing are looking to return to winning ways after back-to-back draws.
Jeonbuk has to play with everything they have, because they have nothing to lose. This is very realistic
“What we can do is to prepare ourselves carefully,” said Manzano. “They were very efficient and fast in the first leg, so we have to be very aggressive in the second game.
“But now we are back home, we have to limit their space and not give them too much room to attack.
“As Beijing Guoan, we always target the win. We won’t be conservative and we will try our best. We will have our tactics and they won’t focus on defending.”