AFC Champions League Elite
The experience of going all the way last season is guiding Ibanez on how Al Ahli Saudi will be approaching their title defence at the business end of the 2025/26 edition.
For Insa, unity is what the midfielder is counting on to steer the Malaysian side in what is their first appearance at this stage of the tournament.
For Insa, unity is what the midfielder is counting on to steer the Malaysian side in what is their first appearance at this stage of the tournament.
Centre-back Ibanez was a pivotal figure in the Jeddah-based side’s 2-0 defeat of Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 a year ago and having savoured glory last season, Ibanez said there is a more serene atmosphere in the squad.
“We know it’ll again be another tough match but we are preparing well,” said the 27-year-old Brazilian. “We’ll give our best performance on the pitch to reach what we want."
“We know it’ll again be another tough match but we are preparing well,” said the 27-year-old Brazilian. “We’ll give our best performance on the pitch to reach what we want."
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“Last year we became champions of Asia but that was last year. I only think about now and this game. To be champions again, we have to fight in this match and then two more.
“That’s our mentality, to think one step at a time. We have to be strong inside the pitch so that we can be champions of Asia again.”
“That’s our mentality, to think one step at a time. We have to be strong inside the pitch so that we can be champions of Asia again.”
#ACLElite - Preview: Quarter-finals
As for Insa, his near-decade of service for Johor Darul Ta’zim has seen the club progressing from playing in the AFC Cup™ to the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026.
“As a player when you know the objective from the very top, the mission is clear,” said Insa. “We managed in the dressing room the tough moments in the season. We had a good season but we also had tough moments.
“We are here because everyone in the club is aligned with the high expectations of becoming better. We don’t play just for ourselves. We can face opponents with more history and better players but we have something others don’t have because we fight as a family and that gives us the power to achieve our goals."
“As a player when you know the objective from the very top, the mission is clear,” said Insa. “We managed in the dressing room the tough moments in the season. We had a good season but we also had tough moments.
“We are here because everyone in the club is aligned with the high expectations of becoming better. We don’t play just for ourselves. We can face opponents with more history and better players but we have something others don’t have because we fight as a family and that gives us the power to achieve our goals."
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The 39-year-old is determined to not let the occasion get to them and while respectful of the defending champions, Insa is confident JDT’s journey can continue beyond Friday’s quarter-final tie.
“In the 12 years of this club, we have achieved a lot of things. We are improving year by year. To be here is hard work through big performances in the league phase.
“We are facing one of the best teams but we have to believe in ourselves. We have nothing to lose. We didn’t come here to be on holiday, we are going to give everything we’ve got.”
“In the 12 years of this club, we have achieved a lot of things. We are improving year by year. To be here is hard work through big performances in the league phase.
“We are facing one of the best teams but we have to believe in ourselves. We have nothing to lose. We didn’t come here to be on holiday, we are going to give everything we’ve got.”
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