Sundowns have been fighting tooth and nail with Orlando Pirates all season for the Betway Premiership title.
They have all but conceded their crown to the Buccaneers – three points clear at the top of the league standings, but having completed their campaign, while Pirates still have two games still to play.
Sundowns will have to find the energy to see off Morocan side AS FAR Rabat over two legs if they are to end their ten-year wait for a second Champions League victory.
The first leg takes place at Loftus Stadium on Sunday.
Speaking ahead of the game, Santos said in the Citizen: “I don’t want to make any excuses, but naturally, physically it is not the best schedule for any player.
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“We like to be in all the competitions, we are a big club, we know that. But it is difficult when you play every three days. Naturally it is not possible to be in the best shape in every game.”
“It feels very good (to be in the final),” added Santos, who has three goals and five assists in nine Champions League appearances this term.
“One of the main purposes for me to come to Sundowns was to play in the Champions League and being in the final is a part of that process.”
“It is one of the points I think we have to be better at. In attack, if we can do better to help the team defensively then we have to do it. We have to review it with the coaches and improve what has not been good in previous matches.”
Sundowns ended as runners-up in last season’s CAF Champions League final after losing to Egypt’s Pyramids FC.