Pyramids deserve Champions League final berth - Krunoslav Jurčić

Started just seven years ago, following the purchase of Al Assiouty Sport, the club is struggling for support in Egypt, with the majority of the fans backing Al Ahly and Zamalek. 

However, now up against Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League final, Jurčić believes the players are fully deserving of their rise under his tutelage.

"Normally people don't expect us in the final, but what I said before is that we have a very good team, this is first, and our club is improving every year," said Jurcic.

"We are one young club, but all the people who work in the club are improving every year, and we prepared one good atmosphere in the team this year.

"I believe in energy, I came to the club with big energy and I believe I can transmit my energy to my players, so they received this energy.

"We've shown in a lot of tough matches this season that we have energy, knowledge and we can play football at a top level. I know it's a surprise for Africa that Pyramids has come into the final, but believe me, we deserve it."

The Cairo-based outfit are meeting a Sundowns side starved of a Champions League final since winning it in 2016, and the Croatian-born coach accepts they are the underdogs in this encounter.

"We are very happy altogether because we're playing in the Champions League final. I will repeat what I've said before, this is one big reward for us because we've played one excellent season," he added.

"Now we have to finish this season in the best way we can – we have a very good team and we have a very good atmosphere, and I know we're playing against one very good team with bigger experience than us, especially in the Champions League.

"But what I've said many times, we are very good this season and we are ready to play one excellent match, my players are ready and I think all the supporters will enjoy this match tomorrow."

READ: Modiba notes Pyramids growth ahead of CAF CL final