Des Buckingham, the head coach of Mumbai City FC, has expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming clash with Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal in the AFC Champions League, highlighting the sheer excitement the inclusion of global superstar Neymar brings to the tournament. With Neymar recently making the switch from PSG to Al-Hilal, fans are eagerly anticipating the spectacle of seeing him go head-to-head with Mumbai City.
"After witnessing the caliber of signings like Neymar and others by teams such as Al-Hilal, it's a thrilling time for the sport. Bringing players of such stature to face off against Indian clubs is a treat not just for our team but for all football fans across India. To see Neymar in action is a unique experience," remarked Buckingham.
But it's not just Neymar who's turning heads. Al-Hilal's acquisition spree has seen them rope in talents like Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Yassine Bounou, Malcom, and Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Buckingham, while commenting on the challenge ahead, emphasised the club's commitment to showcasing their brand of football. "While we hold immense respect for our competitors and acknowledge their prowess, our focus remains unaltered. Our intent is to enjoy the game and present the kind of football our supporters love," he stated.
Mumbai City FC, having secured their place by clinching the Indian Super League Shield earlier this year, are prepping for their second successive AFC Champions League campaign. Group D pits them not only against Al-Hilal, the current champions, but also Iran's Nassaji Mazandaran and Uzbekistan's Navbahor.
The Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune, will play host to all of Mumbai City's home fixtures in this prestigious tournament.
