Coach, Josep Gombau, has said Adelaide United’s playing style will always remain the same regardless of who the Reds play – and against Melbourne City it will be no different, irrespective of the players they have at their disposal.
“We have our own style and we need to try to keep it,” Gombau said.
“Of course you change a few small things depending on the team that you play in terms of tactics or one (or two) arrangements.
“But in the end the essence and philosophy is there and what we want to do is to (play) our style and our way by keeping the ball and playing attacking football.”
Gombau said he is preparing his squad for a tough match against a hungry City side who are yet to win a match this Hyundai A-League season, but notes that every team wants to win regardless of the circumstances.
“They will be hungry for sure because they (are yet) to win and it will be a game that they will put all their efforts in to try and do so.
“But every single team wants to win and (so do we). We are going there to try and bring the three points to Adelaide.”
Gombau will be able to recall the services of striker, Bruce Djite, after he was declared fit-to-play following the squad’s final training session on Thursday morning – a notable inclusion ahead of the clash and one which will undoubtedly strengthen the Reds attacking prowess.
United midfielder, Sergio Cirio, is welcoming Djite’s return, looking forward to rekindling the pair’s partnership, and praised the number 11’s efforts so far this campaign.
“I think Bruce is doing a very good job, not just scoring, but he does a job that is very important for the team,” Cirio said.
“Almost every time he receives the ball with a centre-back pressing him, it is very important for the team because when we are under pressure he keeps the ball and controls it to make a pass.
On a personal level, Cirio has been in fantastic form – especially in front of goal – but doesn’t attribute any specific reason as to why he has been appearing on the score sheet more often than not.
“I think I am having the same chances that I was having last season, but maybe I have improved my first touch to help me with scoring. (Either way) I hope to keep doing this, but if I cannot score I can also help the team (in other ways) and that’s the more important thing for me.
“I feel very good and the whole team is doing well. I think that we improved from last season and at home we are very strong.
“The aim we put on this season was to improve (our) away games and I think we started very well to win away in Brisbane and we have to keep doing this and try and get the three points against Melbourne.”
With the opportunity to play against fellow countryman and World Cup winner, David Villa, Cirio said he is excited for the match and the opportunity to face Spain’s highest-ever goal scorer.
“I am happy to play against him because in the last years he has been a very important player for the national team in Spain, so I am very excited.
“It will be a big challenge (to play against Villa), but not just because of him. They (City) have other players and they’re very good players and I think it’ll be a very equal game.
“I would like to change shirts with (Villa), but I think everybody wants to so maybe with our language (Spanish) I will have a bit of an advantage.”
Friday, 31 October 2014
Melbourne City FC v Adelaide United
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 7:40 PM (Local) (7:40 PM AEDT)
Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant Referee 1: Luke Brennan
Assistant Referee 2: Brad Hobson
Fourth Official: Patrick Chaplin
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 1HD & 1 from 7.00pm (AEDT), Live Coverage on SBS One from 7.30pm AEDT and Sky Sport 3 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 891 ABC Adelaide, ABC Local radio SA, 774 ABC Melbourne, ABC Local radio Victoria, 936 ABC Hobart and ABC Northern Tasmania, Grandstand Digital, ABC Grandstand Online/ABC Radio phone app.SEN Radio
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #MCYvADL
Melbourne City FC squad: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 3.Robbie WIELAERT, 5.Erik PAARTALU, 6.Aaron MOOY, 7.Iain RAMSAY, 8.Massimo MURDOCCA, 9.David VILLA, 11.Damien DUFF, 13.Jonatan GERMANO, 14.James BROWN, 15.David WILLIAMS, 17.Jason HOFFMAN, 18.Paulo RETRE, 19.Ben GARUCCIO, 20.Tando VELAPHI (GK), 23.Mate DUGANDZIC, 24.Patrick KISNORBO (c), 27.Ross ARCHIBALD
***two to be omitted***
Ins: 13.Jonatan GERMANO (promoted), 15.David WILLIAMS (returns from injury), 19.Ben GARUCCIO (promoted)
Outs: 25.Jacob MELLING (omitted)
Unavailable: 10.Robert KOREN (calf – 3-5 weeks)
Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (c) (GK), 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.Nigel BOOGAARD, 4.Dylan McGOWAN, 5.Osama MALIK, 6.CÁSSIO, 7.PABLO SÁNCHEZ, 8.ISAÍAS, 9.Sergio CIRIO, 10.Marcelo CARRUSCA, 11.Bruce DJITE, 16.Craig GOODWIN, 17.Awer MABIL, 18.Jimmy JEGGO, 20.Paul IZZO (GK), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 24.Bruce KAMAU, 32.Nathan KOSTANDOPOULOS
***two to be omitted***
Ins: 6.CÁSSIO (promoted), 11.Bruce DJITE (returns from injury), 20.Paul IZZO (GK) (promoted), 24.Bruce KAMAU (promoted)
Outs: 30.John HALL (GK) (omitted), 22.Fabio FERREIRA (hamstring 2-4 weeks)
Unavailable: 14.Cameron WATSON (toe – 2 weeks), 15.Ben WARLAND (ankle – 3 weeks), 23.Jordan ELSEY (wrist – 3 weeks)
