Marcelo Carrusca has said the benefit of having a sold out Coopers Stadium will play a major part in Adelaide United potentially advancing from the Semi-Final.
Should Adelaide United overcome Melbourne City on Friday night, the Reds will earn the right to host the Hyundai A-League’s Grand Final for the 2015/16 season.
It would be the first time United hosts a Grand Final, while being the third appearance Adelaide has made in the biggest game in professional Australian football.
Speaking on the importance of the Semi-Final, Reds creative midfielder, Marcelo Carrusca, labelled the clash as potentially the most significant in many of the player’s careers, while also highlighting the benefit of playing at Coopers Stadium for United.
“The team and I are happy to be in this moment and we’re enjoying it,” Carrusca said.
“This week is one of the most important in our careers and it has to be like this because we play the Semi-Final on Friday and we need to be ready for it.
“But playing at home for us is very good and we’re used to playing there, so with all the fans’ support we hope to win the game and then we’ll see what happens after that.
“We always want Coopers to be full so it is going to be an amazing environment. I am sure it will be important for us in getting the win.”
United’s opponents, Melbourne City, qualified for the Semi-Final by overcoming Perth Glory in an Elimination Final at AAMI Park last weekend.
A Bruno Fornaroli brace saw City emphatically knock out the Glory, bringing up the Uruguayan’s 24th and 25th goals of the season.
And while Carrusca acknowledged the qualities of Fornaroli and his teammate Aaron Mooy, who has amassed over 20 assists this campaign, the Argentine reiterated that Adelaide’s mentality remains on themselves.
“We are thinking about Friday and have only been thinking about the game that is in front of us – like we have been doing for the entire season.
“We haven’t been thinking about Melbourne, and we’ve only been thinking about preparing for the match as best as we can for this week and go out and win the game.
“Sometimes in Finals you have to play with more heart and anything can happen. We must play good football and try and win the game without worrying about City.
“We hope to perform well and get the right result because together we can do something important for the Club.”
Adelaide United will face Melbourne City in the Hyundai A-League’s first Semi-Final for the 2015/16 season on Friday, 22 April at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.15pm ACST.
