Ahead of his side’s final training session before facing Liverpool FC at Adelaide Oval, Josep Gombau spoke of his team’s excitement at the opportunity of facing one of the world’s greatest clubs.
Adelaide United have completed their final preparations ahead of the blockbuster clash against Liverpool FC at Adelaide Oval on Monday night, and manager, Josep Gombau, says United are eagerly anticipating the fixture.
“It’s a big game and maybe the biggest game that will ever be played in Adelaide,” Gombau said.
“We’re excited and really looking forward to tomorrow
“Of course we are in pre-season and (have trained) for just two weeks, but we did well against Manchester City and have confidence that tomorrow in front of our fans and our city that we can play a good game where we challenge (Liverpool) and get the result also.”
Commenting on the match Liverpool played last week against Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium, Gombau said he was impressed with the quality of the game and at the way in which the Roar were able to challenge the Merseyside outfit.
“I saw the game that Liverpool played in Brisbane and I think they (both) did very well,” he continued.
“It was an open game and the first half was very good because of the speed and intensity of the match was very high.
“I think that we are a team that plays similar to Brisbane and we will have our momentum and our chances that we need to (convert).”
Gombau was also full of praise for his opposite number, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, and also took time to explain how fixtures of this magnitude can only create a greater following for United in South Australia.
“I like the way that (Liverpool) play and I like the way that (Brendan Rodgers) put his style (into the club).
“When (Rodgers) came to (Liverpool), they were an English team, but played more of a European style. The English style is more direct and you can see Liverpool can play 4-3-3, or 4-4-2, but they always treat the ball.
“In these kind of games, people are coming that are not usually coming to our games. These are maybe the people that (Australian Rules Football) is their first sport.
“But when Liverpool come or another big team from Europe, they come to see the game as a big event in the city.
“If they enjoy (the experience) and think that it’s a good game then after they can come again to our A-League games to have the same good feelings.
“For us, these opportunities are great for us to try and do well and bring the people back when the season starts again.
“(More than anything else) the people that are coming to the game are coming to support football and they want to enjoy it and they want to see goals.”
