The holy month of Ramadan and the international break, which saw Al Ittihad’s Saudi Arabia contingent suffer a heartbreaking defeat by Bahrain in their World Cup play-off, mean the league leaders and two-time Champions League winners have not played a competitive game since demolishing Al Qadisiya.

Calderon is also dealing with the absence of injured duo Naif Hazazi and Luciano Leguizamon, while defenders Ahmed Hadid and Osama Al Harbi are both suspended.

“For us it is a little bit difficult as we have not played a official game for one month but we are a good team with strong players with good mentality,” said Calderon (pictured at the pre-match press conference).

“We had a good start to the league but not playing for one month at this level is very bad, training matches are not the same.”

The absence of Saudi striker Hazazi, Argentine import Leguizamon and Al Harbi - who was used as a striker in the last 16 win over Al Shabab - leaves Calderon light up front with Tunisia’s Amine Chermiti set to lead Al Ittihad’s search for away goals.

But former Argentina midfielder Calderon is taking it all in his stride after watching two of Pakhtakor’s recent games - including the cup final win over league champions Bunyodkor - as well as their meetings with Saudi duo Al Hilal and Ettifaq in this year’s Champions League.

“Pakhtakor are a strong team with a good defence, every time five players are there to shield the defence,” he added. “And in attack, they are simple but very dangerous.”

Pakhtakor coach Victor Djalilov has led the two-time semi-finalists into the knockout stage for the first time in five tournaments, but the ACL ever-presents have lost Uzbekistan goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov to locals rivals Bunyodkor, while striker Zaynitdin Tadjiyev and defenders Asror Alikulov and Islom Inomov also departed over the summer.

And their young and small squad has also been depleted with five players representing Uzbekistan at the Under-20 World Cup finals, while midfielder Dilshod Sharofetdinov and highly-rated young striker Fahrod Tadjiyev are both suspended.

“It is a difficult and tough game for both teams but both have a lot of potential. We know that Al Ittihad like to play attacking football, but we will also try and play our own style,” said Djalilov.

“We have good players who can play well. We have some problems, but we still have enough to play good football.”