Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau put his team’s 3-0 win over Sydney FC down to the confidence he has in his squad.
“I think that we did well in the first half, but we played a lot in our (side of the) field,” Gombau said.
“What we spoke about at half time was that we need to try to have the ball and try to play in their (side of the) field and to be closer to their goal.
“Also, I think, in the first half, Sydney did a good job in terms of pressing and cutting the line of pass and not allowing us to play. But they paid for this physically because you cannot stay running in this high intensity for 90 minutes.
“But this is football. Maybe another day Sydney score and (we) don’t get the result.”
Gombau was then asked about the impact of Sergio Cirio on the match and how dominant the number nine was on the wings. But Gombau was quick to not only praise Cirio’s efforts, but the efforts of the entire squad for a determined performance.
“Cirio is an amazing player and is very good,” he continued.
“He brings a lot of things to us and he did very well. But I don’t like to speak about one player because we are a team.
“I think that Cirio did well, but (Dylan) McGowan and (Nigel) Boogaard at the back and (Tarek) Elrich and (Michael) Marrone on the sides and everybody (else) – we are a team.
“Everybody’s doing well.
“Of course Cirio has good qualities, but today (Friday) I can’t say (he played) better than the others because at the back we played very well also and I am happy with everybody and satisfied with their jobs.
During the match and following United’s first goal, Reds playmaker, Marcelo Carrusca, went down with a suspected groin injury, which Gombau shed light on.
“We don’t know yet, we need to do a scan. But he’s a player that knows his body (very well), he’s a player that is his (own) doctor, and he knows exactly when something is wrong.
“(Whether in) training or a game he come and (tells us) if he feels something and he told me that he felt his groin and it doesn’t look good.”
And with the January transfer window around the corner, the possibility for the Reds to bolster their squad may come available, but Gombau said only if the right player for his project is obtainable.
“We are not looking for (additions to our squad),” Gombau explained.
“Honestly, I think that we have a good squad and we are happy with the players that we have.
“If someone appears in the market that is very good, then we can do (something). We’re not asking for a player, but if we think someone can be good for our project and they appear, we will go (for them).
To conclude the press conference, Gombau was questioned on the quality of United’s football and how confident he is in his squad when it comes to playing consistent football at a high standard.
“Last season when I came here, what I was most worried (about) was that if the players would follow what I want.
“But after I saw that the players want to do it, I was confident because it’s just work, invest time, make mistakes, improve from these mistakes.
“Now we are doing well, but we have a lot of room to improve.”
As usual, you can follow all the action on our Twitter and Facebook channels using the hashtags #COYR and of course, #GombauWOW
Adelaide United will face Wellington Phoenix on New Years Eve at Coopers Stadium in Round 13 of the 2014/15 season of the Hyundai A-League on Wednesday, 31 December. Kick off is at 7.00pm ACDT. To purchase tickets, click here.
