On the eve of the clash with the Reds’ match against the Victory, Bruce Djite is excited about the prospect of being part of the next chapter in the huge rivalry.
Bruce Djite-s partnership with Sergio van Dijk is improving with each game and Friday night-s match against Melbourne Victory provides another opportunity for the duo to strengthen their case as one of the Hyundai A-League-s most formidable strike pairings.
On the eve of the clash with the Reds- third and final match against the Victory in the minor round, Djite is excited about the prospect of again being a part of the next chapter in the clubs- huge rivalry.
“It-s obviously one of, if not the biggest games of the season,” Djite said.
“These derbies are very special, not just for ourselves but also for the people of Adelaide, and we-re going to go out there and give 110 per cent and hopefully come away with all three points.”
Before the season, many doubted and wondered how or whether Djite and van Dijk playing alongside each other could work. It may have taken a little while to come, but looking back on the past four games, the duo have provided the answer, which is one many may not have expected.
In the last month Djite and van Dijk have caused opposition defences a number of problems, and together with a third piece of the Reds- attacking puzzle, Dario Vidosic, they have shown that they are taking some stopping.
“There are always those sort of questions when another striker comes,” Djite said.
“I had the same thing at Gold Coast when Shane Smeltz came back but that worked very well and I think with Serge it-s starting to work really well as well.”
“You throw Dario into the mix and I think we-ve been causing a few headaches for opposition teams, and I think everyone can see that we-re starting to play some better football individually, so as long as we can stay fit and healthy I think we can cause some problems.”
It is arguably no coincidence that the combination between Djite, van Dijk and Vidosic has really started to blossom since new coach John Kosmina came in.
Djite credits the way Kosmina has structured the team, particularly in the front third, which allows everyone to play to their strengths.
“He (Komsina) has come in and changed a few things and so far so good,” Djite said.
“Four games unbeaten and we-re looking to make it five after the Melbourne trip so we-re certainly looking forward to that.”
The coach himself is seeing the trio-s partnership come ahead in leaps and bounds in the past month, and he feels comfortable and in the same breath also determined to use the three as the backbone of the Reds- attack.
“It-s a matter of them understanding and then accepting what their roles are in any particular formation and against any particular sort of opposition,” Kosmina said.
“I don-t care if no one else scores a goal provided those three score regularly because then it-s situation achieved.”
The trio have started in four of the last five games together and are set to again be unleashed on a Melbourne Victory defence that has conceded at least one goal in their past nine matches.
Djite, van Dijk and Vidosic are aware that it is still a work in progress, but watch out once it all comes together.
