Jonathan Urretaviscaya (pictured) answers questions at a press conference on December 11, 2017 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, a day before his Pachuca side meets Gremio in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinals. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)
AL AIN, United Arab Emirates – Pachuca is clearly motivated by the prospect of facing South American champion Gremio on Tuesday in the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup (FCWC) semifinals.
“Matches have to be played,” said Pachuca forward Jonathan Urretaviscaya, who assisted on Victor Guzman’s game-winning goal in the 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Wydad Athletic Club. “Both teams come in even. There are no excuses. You don’t negotiate when it comes to the desire or the hunger to win.”
A Pachuca victory would be historic for the club and CONCACAF – no team from the Confederation has ever reached the FCWC final.
While Urretaviscaya believes that the Tuzos are ready for success, he knows that the task is difficult on multiple levels.
“We face a tough opponent with character and great individual technique,” the 27-year-old Uruguayan remarked. We have to demonstrate in this instance what we are capable of.
“They (Gremio) have a bit of an advantage since they come in rested. But it’s not an excuse since we were already clear that if we got through the previous match we were going to play an opponent that had not played three days prior like we did. We know their style of play and their potential, but we have our weapons.”
CONCACAF sides have never won a FCWC semifinal in seven previous attempts, six of which were played against the European champion.
