There is much more to be read than mere words from a pre-match press conference.

A study of the body language of Al Ain head coach Zlatko Dalic as he faced the media ahead of tonight’s opening AFC Champions League semi-final clash told you everything you needed to know about the mood in the camp.

The visit of El Jaish to Hazza bin Zayed Stadium for the first leg has obviously coincided with a moment of contentment from the Croatian.

He cut a relaxed presence, smiling when asked about the challenge of meeting a side who inflicted twin defeats in Group D and confidently tackling any further questions which came his way.

The contrast to the sullen figure which greeted reporters for the quarter-final against Lokomotiv Tashkent last month was marked.

This proved a torturous tie for the 2003 winners, who were diminished by poor preparations because of the UAE’s extensive time spent in summer training camps.

Dalic has never attempted to hide his emotions since arriving in the Garden City during March 2014.

A similarly forlorn expression was present the last time he made this stage, his side being battered by Al Hilal two years ago as international call-ups put them in the same unpropitious position.

Now, with fresh addition Caio fully upto speed and Whites stars such as Omar Abdulrahman slotting nicely into peak form, Jaish had better beware.

The Qataris were outplayed but emerged victorious in both prior games. Dalic had the countenance of a man fully aware this frustrating outcome will not be repeated.