Shanghai SIPG coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is braced for a difficult showdown with Melbourne Victory as the AFC Champions League debutants prepare to meet the Australian champions.
Victory will host the Chinese Super League runners-up on matchday one in Group G on Wednesday, with all eyes on former England and Manchester City boss Eriksson, and Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan.
"We are looking forward to it [Wednesday's match] very much," Eriksson told Omnisport.
"We were fighting very hard last season to reach our target and our target was to qualify for the Champions League.
"We know it's difficult. There are many games and it is a very hard group. Three very tough teams [including Gamba Osaka and Suwon Bluewings] we have to meet, the first one coming on Wednesday."
However, the key to any potential success for SIPG this season, particularly in Asia's premier club competition, could be Brazilian forward Elkeson, who won the ACL and CSL double with Evergrande last term.
Eriksson added: "We have some players with a lot of experience from high-level football and also in the Asian Champions League. But we also have a lot of players who have not played Champions League football so it is a tough test for them.
"They know we are meeting a team that have been rather successful. They have been in the Champions League before and we have a lot of respect for Melbourne Victory."
