Bruce Djite has labelled himself greedy ahead of Adelaide United’s Semi-Final against Melbourne City on Friday night, claiming he isn’t the type of footballer to settle for just one piece of silverware.
Adelaide United clinched the Hyundai A-League Premiership in the last round of the regular 20015/16 season, beating Western Sydney Wanderers, Brisbane Roar, and Melbourne City to the Premiers’ Plate after a difficult start to the campaign, which saw the Reds winless until Round 9.
The Premiers’ Plate is United’s second piece of silverware in as many seasons, adding to the Club’s inaugural Westfield FFA Cup triumph in December of 2014.
United are now set to host Melbourne City in the competition’s first Semi-Final of the Finals Series for 2015/16 at Coopers Stadium, playing for the right to host the Grand Final and give the Reds their third shot at clinching the illusive Hyundai A-League Championship.
But when Adelaide striker, Bruce Djite, was asked as to whether he’d prefer to win the Premiers’ Plate or the coveted Championship trophy, his response was simple: “Both. I’m greedy.”
Djite’s clear statement of intent epitomises United’s season so far, as they have constantly strived for improvement and refused to settle for substandard football.
“It’s a Semi-Final and an opportunity for us to host a Grand Final,” Djite said. “We’re looking forward to the clash and it’s a special game for everyone involved with the Club.
“Every opposition’s a rival, aren’t they? So we’ll approach (Melbourne City) like we approach any other team.
“For us as players, we’ll give City the same respect that we would show anyone else and we’ll back ourselves against them like we back ourselves against anyone else.”
Whilst Djite’s justified confidence in himself and his teammates is obvious, United’s all-time leading goal scorer said the Club’s success so far this season has to be put down to its unity, rather than any individual’s talent.
The Reds’ No. 11 also stated how the vast experience of Adelaide’s squad in matches of such importance will undoubtedly help push them over the line on Friday night.
“We don’t have a superstar that’s going to (get us out of tricky situations) and we don’t have anyone who’s going to dig a hole for us either.
“Everyone in our team, we’re all going in the same way and going on the same path, and we look forward to playing what we know is a good team in Melbourne City on Friday night.
“As a more experienced player, I do realise that these opportunities are few and far between and that can help in these games.
“We have enough players in the change room that have enough the experience to understand the magnitude of the game.
“If we concentrate on our jobs on the pitch, we’ll make a lot of people proud on Friday night.”
Adelaide United will face Melbourne City in the Hyundai A-League’s first Semi-Final for the 2015/16 season on Friday, 22 April at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.15pm ACST.
