JDT vs. Shanghai Shenhua Press Conference

ISKANDAR PUTERI, Johor - The air in the press room felt calm before a thunderstorm. It was Tuesday, November 4, 2025, and outside, the massive Sultan Ibrahim Stadium waited, ready to host an AFC Champions League Elite battle between Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) and China's Shanghai Shenhua FC.

Munoz: The Call to Arms

When JDT Head Coach Xisco Munoz took the stage, there was no room for diplomacy. He was direct, almost aggressive, radiating the pressure of knowing this home game was a must-win.

"Look, the reality is simple: three points," Munoz stated, his voice ringing with urgency. "We cannot afford anything less here. We had a great run away from home, full of high intensity, and now we bring that focus back to our stadium."

He leaned into the microphone, his message a challenge to his own team: "My demand is that we push the intensity higher than ever. Be aggressive in the duels. We need to fight like true Southern Tigers for every single inch of that field." It wasn't just a tactic; it was a rallying cry to the crowd and the players alike, this was their fortress, and they had to defend it fiercely.

Slutskiy: The Unexpected Compliment

Then came the turn of Leonid Slutskiy, the coach of Shanghai Shenhua. The Russian veteran, known for his shrewd observations, didn't resort to the usual coach-speak. Instead, he paid JDT a startling and genuine compliment.

"We have studied JDT closely," Slutskiy began, his tone serious. "Usually, in Asia, when you play the top teams from Japan or Korea, you know what you get: speed, discipline, relentless running."

He paused, letting the silence draw out the impact of his next words. "But JDT... JDT is different. Truly different. Frankly, watching them sometimes feels like watching a Spanish team play in the Asian Champions League."

The room buzzed. It was a massive statement, likening the Malaysian champions' technicality, flair, and attacking fluidity to the elite style of La Liga. It wasn't just praise; it was a high-level recognition of the unique, dynamic threat JDT poses. Slutskiy's message to his own side was clear: This isn't an easy Asian club; this is a highly technical, European-style opponent. The press conference ended not with a threat, but with an intriguing narrative: JDT, driven by Munoz’s urgent demands for a fierce, decisive win, now carried the heavy burden of being labeled the "Spanish" artists of Asia.

Tomorrow night, under the lights, they wouldn't just be fighting for points; they would be fighting to live up to the highest compliment their opponent could give them.