Adelaide Untied coach, Josep Gombau, has reiterated the importance of looking at each game individually as United prepares for a busy festive season and a tough battle with Brisbane Roar at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.
The Reds currently sit third in the overall A-League standings with 13 points separating them and their Round 10 opponents, but Gombau is expecting nothing less than a typically difficult encounter with the Roar, whom sit in seventh.
“For us, it is an important game and we’ll respect them a lot,” Gombau said. “They are the champions (from last season) and they have been (successful) in the last few years too, so tomorrow, we need to come out with 120 per cent worth of concentration.
“Our job for tomorrow is to play a good game, try to win, and make the people that come to Coopers to watch us enjoy the match.”
When asked about Brisbane’s change in fortunes so far this season, Gombau highlighted the fact that the Queensland-based outfit still possess high-quality individuals whom still need to be respected despite having amassed just seven points from a possible 27.
“(Brisbane) have changed a little bit (this season),” he continued.
“We’re thinking a lot about us and what we need to do, but we also (keep in mind) what they are doing.
“Some players have left since last season, some players that started at the beginning of the season have injuries and they’ve also changed their coach.
“(But), every single player that is playing in the Hyundai A-League is playing because he has the (abilities to do so). This league is very competitive and it’s not easy to play here. If a player is (in this league) it is for a reason, so we need to respect everyone.”
Reflecting on his side’s current form, Gombau made mention of United’s need to continuously improve – irrespective of opposition or circumstance. One aspect he stated as needing improvement in particular is the team’s end product in front of goal and although many might see it as a notable concern, the Spaniard himself isn’t overly worried.
“We need to improve our finishing, but the most important thing is to create (chances). And we are creating,” he explained.
“I am not worried because we are creating chances and when you create them, normally you score. But we know we need to keep improving this (aspect of our game) and it is something that we have put a lot of attention on this week in training.”
Gombau concluded by saying the hype that is now surrounding the team is definitely positive, yet his, nor the squad’s, work is done, saying further growth of the club is essential going forward – both on the pitch and off it.
“It’s always good when the people speak about the team and that we are doing well. In the end we need to be intelligent and take this like (motivation) for all games, not just one. We need to play well and (know) that every game is different.
“A lot of people are coming to the games and the environment is very good now. The feeling that (surrounds) the team with the fans is very good as well and we have more members – it’s all good. Our football is growing and part of this is because of the job that the players are doing and they are playing good football and we just have to work hard to make it grow more.
Adelaide United will play Brisbane Roar at Coopers Stadium in Round 9 of the Hyundai A-League 2014/15 Season on Friday, 12 December. Kick off is at 7.10pm ACDT. To purchase tickets, click here.
Friday, 12 December 2014
Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar FC
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Kick-Off: 7:10 PM (Local) (7:40 PM AEDT)
Referee: Lucien Laverdure
Assistant Referee 1: Lance Greenshields
Assistant Referee 2: Owen Goldrick
Fourth Official: Daniel Elder
TV Broadcast: Live and exclusive coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 7.00pm (AEDT), Live Coverage on SBS HD & SBS One from 7.30pm AEDT and Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 891 ABC Adelaide, ABC Local Radio SA, 612 ABC Brisbane, ABC Local Radio Queensland, Grandstand Digital, Online/ABC Radio Mobile phone app
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #ADLvBRI
Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GA LEKOVIC (c) (GK), 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.Nigel BOOGAARD, 4.Dylan McGOWAN, 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, 21.Tarek ELRICH, 22.Fabio FERREIRA, 24.Bruce KAMAU, 30.John HALL (GK), 32.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS **two to be omitted**
Ins: 24.Bruce KAMAU (promoted), 32.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 5.Osama MALIK (calf – 3-4 weeks), 6.CASSIO (calf – 1 week), 20.Paul IZZO (GK) (calf – 2-3 weeks), 23.Jordan ELSEY (knee – indefinite)
Brisbane Roar squad: 2.Matthew SMITH (c), 4.Adam SAROTA, 5.Corey BROWN, 7.Mensur KURTISHI, 8.Steven LUSTICA, 10.HENRIQUE, 12.Jean Carlos SOLORZANO, 13.Jade NORTH, 14.Daniel BOWLES, 15.James DONACHIE, 17.Matt McKAY, 18.Luke BRATTAN, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 23.Dimitri PETRATOS, 28.Brandon BORRELLO, 30.Matthew ACTON (gk)
Ins: Nil
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 1.Michael THEO (wrist – three weeks), 3.Shane STEFANUTTO (groin – five weeks), 6.George LAMBADARIDIS (knee – two weeks), 19.Jack HINGERT (knee – four weeks), 22.Thomas BROICH (ankle – six weeks)
