Marcelo Carrusca believes Adelaide United has what it takes to overcome Melbourne Victory in Round 1 of the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 season, in what will see the Champions face the inaugural Westfield FFA Cup Winners for the second time competitively this campaign.
Although participating in a lighter training session on Tuesday afternoon, Carrusca said he is 100 per cent fit for the clash at Adelaide Oval, in what is unquestionably the biggest opening fixture this season.
Carrusca, who has performed excellently in a number of pre-season matches, stated his side’s desire to start off the eleventh season of the Hyundai A-League with the perfect result.
The Argentine admitted, however, a massive crowd is pivotal in ensuring United has every advantaged possible, saying thorough support always drives the team on, especially in important fixtures like against Victory.
“Today, I have done a lighter session, but I feel really good ahead of the game on Friday,” Carrusca explained.
“We had a great pre-season. It was a long pre-season, but now, finally, we’re starting the new season.
“We’ve been waiting for a long time to (play this game against Melbourne Victory) and we are ready and have prepared for this game very well.
“It’s very important (to win our first game) and start the league by winning the first game at home with our fans.
“We all hope to get a large crowd (at Adelaide Oval for this match). It will very good for all the players to have a lot of supporters in the stadium because we need them (to help us win).”
Having added extra defensive cover in the off-season in the form of Asian Champions League Winner, Iacopo La Rocca, Carrusca said competition within the group is high and very healthy, as the tight-knit Reds continue to improve and prepare for a successful 2015/16.
“We have great central defenders with Iacopo (La Rocca), Osama (Malik), and Dylan (McGowan) and we’re a great team defensively, but offensively as well,” Carrusca said.
“We’re training hard and it’s good to have a lot of competition within the group. It’s how the team can improve.
“We’re playing the same football and in the same style as (last season). Guillermo (Amor) maybe has some small different concepts because he was a player as well and understands some situations differently, but it’s the same philosophy and we’re (developing).
“The idea that we have is to play game, by game, and step, by step. This is the most important thing and we have to play every game as if it is a final.”
On Tuesday morning, Carrusca, Bruce Djite, and Head Coach, Guillermo Amor, all participated in the Hyundai A-League Season Launch via a live video conference, followed by a virtual media conference.
Adelaide United will face Melbourne Victory in Round 1 of the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 season at Adelaide Oval on Friday, 9 October 2015. Kick-off is at 7.10 pm. To buy tickets, click here.
