Guangzhou Evergrande will take a patched up defence into the first leg of their CFA Cup final clash with Jiangsu Suning on Sunday as Luiz Felipe Scolari and his side attempt to move closer to completing the domestic double.
Guangzhou, who claimed a record-extending sixth Chinese Super League title last month, will host Jiangsu without the services of China international defender Feng Xiaoting, who is suspended, while his central defensive partner Kim Young-Gwon misses the game due to injury.
"We have been preparing for this game," said Scolari. "The players who were not in the national team training have all been training hard at home. Our biggest obstacle is the suspension of Feng Xiaoting, but I believe any replacement player we put in this position can do this job well.
"Feng's absence will have a big influence on us because our other options on the left side of defence, such as Young-Gwon and Liu Jian, are all unavailable. But our style won't change just because of this."
The Brazilian World Cup winner's team take on a Jiangsu side that finished second in the Chinese Super League and are appearing in the final of the CFA Cup for the third seasons in a row, winning the title last year for the first time in the club's history.
Scolari, however, is confident his side has the quality required to complete a second double-winning season in five years for Guangzhou.
"We know that Jiangsu has been in the CFA Final three times in a row, so this won't be two easy matches," he said. "I need all my players to show respect to Jiangsu. But I know we are strong and I believe as long as we play our own style, we can win the game.
"I have to thank my players for what they have done this season. No matter if we were able to win a treble of titles or not, I have the same appreciation for them. We have had a great season, especially on team building and players' improvement. Like I said, with a good team we can win any titles.
"This year my greatest satisfaction has come not from our titles, but my players' gradual improvement while I am with them everyday. In the CFA Cup final, if we can do what we've been doing in the training, that will be enough."
Jiangsu coach Choi Yong-Soo takes the club into his first final since joining from South Korea's FC Seoul midway through the season and is confident his side is capable of picking up a win against the league champions in the first leg.
"We are really looking forward to this match against the strongest team in the Chinese Super League," said Choi, whose FC Seoul lost in the final of the 2013 Asian Champions League against Guangzhou.
"Our team will do our best. We are here for the win. "Although overall Evergrande look to be the favourite, our young team has a lot of potential. I believe the game will have lots of uncertainties and I will ask them to focus only on themselves.
"Tianhe Stadium has the reputation of having a great atmosphere, and I hope it will be a fair match."