Adelaide United Youth Team were beaten 4-0 in their third and final game of the preliminary round against La Liga heavyweights Athletic Bilbao.
Adelaide United Youth Team were beaten 4-0 in their third and final game of the preliminary round against La Liga heavyweights Athletic Bilbao.
The Bilbao style was a direct, physical game, which particularly in the first half caused our Youth Team to struggle. They were the first team, so far, to stop us from playing our style, which has been evident in all the other games.
After some minor changes by the coaching staff, the team in second half were able to control the game but the damage was already done.
Despite the result, Youth Team coach Michael Valkanis was pleased with the way the boys played.
“Today-s game was the best experience for our boys. Bilbao-s 1v1 defending and ability to close down players quickly, with possession of the ball, and their transition into attack with speed, was eye opening!”
The opposition coach, Gonzalo Suances, commented on how he was surprised by how well the Youth Team-s positional play was, along with their structure and organisation.
Youth Team Assistant Coach, Angelo Costanzo, also tweeted immediately after the game praising the team:
@AngeloChoka4 ‘Great learning experience for us. Bilbao was just to physical for our young boys but showed great character in the second half-
Due to the loss, the Youth Team will now compete for the Consolidation Cup. Their next two matches are against Spanish sides, the first being FC Palafrugell, which kicks-off today at 11:00am local time (6:30pm ACST) followed by Unió Esportiva Quart, which kicks-off at 5:00pm local time (12:30am ACST).
