River Plate focused on \'dangerous\' Al Ain\, says coach Gallardo

SHOWS: DUBAI, UAE (DECEMBER 17, 2018) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RIVER PLATE COACH, MARCELO GALLARDO, SAYING: (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL TRANSLATION) "Despite winning an important title in Copa Libertadores, this title that for the fans, it was something of utmost importance for our club.

But you still have to make a difference.

You have to make that feeling be positive for you, not negative.

We have to, of course, focus on this competition.

The days after we won the title (Copa Libertadores) were happiness and we celebrated.

But once we arrived here in UAE we started to focus on what's coming, and what is coming is another tournament.

Of course we have a very positive mood, but we know if we carry the weight, we will have negative consequences because we know we will have to face a dangerous opponent, I know that, the players know that, so I don't think we will suffer in that sense." STORY: South American champions River Plate must maintain concentration in Tuesday's (December 18) Club World Cup semi-final against host side Al Ain FC after a tumultuous two weeks, the Argentine side's coach Marcelo Gallardo said on Monday (December 17).

River Plate have travelled to the United Arab Emirates after triumphing in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final against fellow Argentine rivals Boca Juniors which was moved to Madrid following fan violence in Buenos Aires.

They are expected to cruise past Al Ain for a probable final against Real Madrid but Gallardo said River Plate were taking the semi-final clash very seriously, warning that the host nation champions were a "dangerous opponent."