Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau is not taking tomorrow night’s match against a struggling Western Sydney Wanderers outfit lightly, especially considering their recent improvement.
Gombau spoke to media today ahead of the match, and conceded that it was going to be a very difficult fixture for the Reds.
“For me, the Wanderers are still the team who won the Asian Champions League and they have very good players in every position, no matter who plays,” he said.
“They are a strong team and we expect a lot from them, so we are preparing this game as we would for a final.”
Speaking about his team’s form coming into the match, Gombau conceded that a lack of finishing and self-made mistakes have cost the Reds points in the last two matches.
“We played fantastic, especially in the first half against Perth and should have been 2-0 up, but defensive mistakes cost us then and in the game against Central Coast Mariners.
“But I am still happy with my defence and happy that we are creating the chances, the results will come.
“We still sit third on the table and the players are doing very well and working very hard, but football is football and results can’t always go your way.”
The match concludes a fantastic week for Adelaide United Football Club, as Michael Marrone, Isaías Sánchez and marquee man Marcelo Carrusca each extended their contract by two years.
Gombau credited the signings to the project the club and coaching staff have in place for the team.
“I believe that these players have signed again with the club because they have the feeling that they are in a good place here, are at a good place on the table and are enjoying their football.
“They have signed on for the style and the project that we have in place here and they are each very important regular players for the team.”
Gombau also mentioned that there was an added pressure on the team to get a result against the Wanderers, as important places in the finals series are still up for grabs.
“Every year we need to make the finals, play good football that people enjoy and bring young, local talent into the club.
“We want to be top two and try to have a final at home, this is very important for us.”
Adelaide United will host Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 18 of the Hyundai 2014/15 A-League season on Saturday, 21 February at Coopers Stadium. Kick off at 7.00pm ACDT. To purchase tickets, click here.
Saturday, 21 February 2015
Adelaide United v Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Kick-Off: 7:00 PM (Local) (7:30 PM AEDT)
Referee: Peter O’Leary
Assistant Referee 1: Paul Cetrangolo
Assistant Referee 2: Matthew Cream
Fourth Official: Rick Schneider
TV Broadcast: Live and exclusive coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 7.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: Online/ABC Radio Mobile phone app
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #ADLvWSW
Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (GK) (c), 2.Michael MARRONE, 4.Dylan McGOWAN, 5.Osama MALIK, 7.PABLO SÁNCHEZ, 8.ISAÍAS, 9.Sergio CIRIO, 10.Marcelo CARRUSCA, 11.Bruce DJITE, 14.Cameron WATSON, 16.Craig GOODWIN, 17.Awer MABIL, 18.Jimmy JEGGO, 19.Miguel PALANCA, 20.Paul IZZO (GK), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 24.Bruce KAMAU, 32.Nathan KONSTANDOPLOUS ***two to be omitted***
Ins: 20.Paul IZZO (GK) (promoted), 24.Bruce KAMAU (promoted), 32.Nathan KONSTANDOPLOUS (promoted)
Outs: 30.John HALL (GK) (not selected)
Unavailable: 3.Nigel BOOGAARD (knee – 1 week), 23.Jordan ELSEY (knee – indefinite)
Western Sydney Wanderers FC squad: 1.Ante COVIC (gk), 2.Shannon COLE, 3.Yusuke TANAKA, 4.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (c), 5.Brendan HAMILL, 7.Labinot HALITI, 8.Mateo POLJAK, 9.Tomi JURIC, 10.Yojiro TAKAHAGI, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 12.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 17.Romeo CASTELEN, 18.Iacopo La Rocca, 20.Dean BOUZANIS (gk), 23.Jason TRIFIRO, 25.Sam GALLAWAY, 33.Nick KALMAR ***two to be omitted***
Ins: 25.Sam GALLAWAY (promoted), 18.Iacopo La Rocca (returns from injury), 17.Romeo CASTELEN (returns from injury)
Outs: 6.Antony GOLEC (not selected)
Unavailable: 34.Golgol MEBRAHTU (knee – indefinite)
