The coach of African champions Esperance admitted on Saturday that it was a problem getting his players to focus on their Club World Cup opener when they know Barcelona await them if they win.
The Tunisians take on Asian winners Al Sadd, from Qatar, at the intercontinental showpiece on Sunday, with a glamour tie against the European and Spanish champions the prize.
Coach Nabil Maaloul said on the eve of Esperance's debut at the tournament in Japan: "Our players are thinking about Barcelona but we are trying to stop them from thinking ahead.
"It's been difficult to try to get Barcelona out of their minds, but we have been trying to get them to focus only on tomorrow's match."
Maaloul, whose side enjoyed a historic season, wrapping up three titles including the regional crown, said the popular revolt in Tunisia which toppled the country's dictator and sparked the Arab Spring was a "big motivation".
Football was suspended in Tunisia during a mass movement which resulted in the overthrow in January of longtime ruler Zine el Abidine Ben Ali.
"We had to be quite strong during that time," said Maaloul, 49, a former midfielder with the national side.
"For two-and-a-half months we couldn't practise but we were determined to get to the final (of the African Champions League).
"Football in Tunisia is connected to domestic politics but we tried not to be affected by that. We just focused on ourselves and tried not to be diverted."
Underlining the difficulty Maaloul faces in trying to stop his men thinking of Lionel Messi and company at Barca, captain Ousama Darragi told media in Toyota: "Al Sadd are another Arab team and we are expecting a tough game.
"But after we win we want to play Barcelona."
Source: AFP
