Summary The World Cup-winning coach was fuming after his team were not given a suitable training pitch.
SEOUL (AFP) - Guangzhou Evergrande manager Marcello Lippi lashed out Friday after a lack of proper facilities left his players training indoors at their hotel before the AFC Champions League final in Seoul.
The World Cup-winning coach was fuming after his team were not given a suitable training pitch before Saturday's first leg against FC Seoul, forcing them to improvise.
Lippi, who reached four UEFA Champions League finals with Italy's Juventus, and won the competition in 1996, said it was the first time he had experienced such treatment.
"We ended up training in the hall in our hotel. I don't think it's fair," Lippi, speaking through an interpreter, told a press conference.
"It's the first time in 30 years in my career I've had something like this happen to me.
"It's my fifth time in the final in the Champions League, whether it's in Europe or Asia, and I've never had such a problem with an opponent."
A K-League official said Guangzhou were told two weeks ago that their training pitch did not have good lighting, and they had accepted the arrangement without complaint.
But after the team arrived on Thursday afternoon, they found they could not train on the pitch that evening and had to make emergency arrangements.
Lippi insisted Guangzhou would provide FC Seoul with proper facilities when they visit southern China for the second leg in two weeks' time.
"We will follow all regulations of fair play that exist internationally," he said. "We'll make sure to collaborate as much as we can to make sure they will have a pitch to train."
FC Seoul manager Choi Yong-Soo said the hosts did the best they could to serve Guangzhou, who are hot favourites to lift the trophy.
"We won't ask for any more than what the regulations require when we visit Guangzhou," added Choi.
Lippi, whose free-scoring team are seeking to become China's first Asian champions in 23 years, said victory "would be on an equal level" as winning the European title.
"I give (AFC) a lot of importance," he said. "I've been with the team for two years. I have seen them grow physically and psychologically. The team is more organized.
He added: "It's my first time having to play a two-legged final, and it's something completely different to me.
"You have to be really well prepared for the first match and the second match, especially for the last moments in the decisive game."
Guangzhou, inspired by their South American strikeforce, have netted four goals in each of their past two away matches.
But Lippi refused to reveal if his team would be similarly adventurous or more defensive at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Saturday.
"I believe that no coach in the world will unveil his tactics right before his match," he said. "Wait 24 hours and you will find out what will happen."
