Adelaide United Head Coach Josep Gombau, says Saturday’s match with Brisbane Roar at Coopers Stadium is just as important for his side’s title aspirations, but concedes the fact that the Roar will be prepared and ready for battle.
The Reds will be looking to consolidate on its two game win streak after beating both the Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC, however, Adelaide United has the chance to leapfrog cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory into top spot on the Hyundai A-league ladder.
However, Josep Gombau remains his usual calm-self heading into the match as he and his team will aim to capitalise on Brisbane’s tough fixture congestion which saw them compete in South Korea midweek in the Asian Champions League.
“For me there is no reason to think that it will be an easy game,” said Gombau.
“It will be a very difficult game and we need to prepare and play well heading into the last three games of the season.
“Although we play at home we need to treat the game like it’s one of the biggest we have competed in this season because it’s the last three games of the season, so we must keep focused.
“It will be very difficult to play Brisbane as they are a team that like to keep possession of the ball also they want to play from the back, so for us it will be difficult as both teams want possession of the ball.”
Adelaide United will be bolstered with the return of Socceroo Tarek Elrich and Spanish playmaker Pablo Sanchez however Awer Mabil and Argentinian Marcelo Carrusca will not feature in the clash.
“Tarek will come in he’s 100% fit as for Awer and Marcelo they are still on the injury list but should be back in the next few weeks,” siad Gombau.
Speaking about goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic and his man of the match performance against Sydney F.C last week, Gombau believes he (Galekovic) is one of the best goalkeepers in the league and will play a big part heading into the last three matches of the season.
“He’s not only a good goalkeeper but it’s like having an extra player on the field,” Gombau said.
“Every time we want to build from the back we use him and I don’t think many keepers are as skilful as Eugene to play the type of game we play.
“We sometimes forget how good of a player he is. He has been to two World Cups and was part of the Asian Champions League squad so he will play a crucial role for us this week as well as the rest of the season.”
Adelaide United next host Brisbane Roar in Round 25 of the Hyundai 2014/15 A-League season on Saturday, 11 April at Coopers Stadium. Kick off at 4:30pm ACST. To purchase tickets, click here.
Saturday, 11 April 2015
Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar FC
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Kick-Off: 4:30 PM (Local) (5:00 PM AEST)
Referee: Strebre Delovski
Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Cream
Assistant Referee 2: Paul Cetrangolo
Fourth Official: Daniel Elder
TV Broadcast: Live and exclusive coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 5.00pm (AEST) and Sky Sport (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: Online/ABC Radio Mobile phone app.
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #ADLvBRI
Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (GK) (c), 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.Nigel BOOGAARD, 4.Dylan McGOWAN, 5.Osama MALIK, 7.PABLO SÁNCHEZ, 8.ISAÍAS, 9.Sergio CIRIO, 11.Bruce DJITE, 14.Cameron WATSON, 16.Craig GOODWIN, 17.Awer MABIL, 18.Jimmy JEGGO, 19.Miguel PALANCA, 20.Paul IZZO (GK), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 24.Bruce KAMAU, 32.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS **two to be omitted**
Ins: 7.PABLO SÁNCHEZ (returns from injury), 21.Tarek ELRICH (returns from suspension), 32.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS (promoted)
Outs: 15.Ben WARLAND (not selected)
Unavailable: 10.Marcelo CARRUSCA (quadricep – 1-2 weeks), 23.Jordan ELSEY (knee – indefinite)
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 3.Shane STEFANUTTO, 5.Corey BROWN, 8.Steven LUSTICA, 9.ANDRIJA Kaluderovic, 12.Jean Carlos SOLORZANO,14.Daniel BOWLES, 15.James DONACHIE, 16.Devante CLUT, 17.Matt McKAY (c), 18.Luke BRATTAN, 19.Jack HINGERT, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22.Thomas BROICH, 23.Dimitri PETRATOS, 26.Lachlan JACKSON, 28.Brandon BORRELLO, 33.Luke DeVERE, 36.Fraser CHALMERS (gk) **two to be omitted**
Ins: 15.James DONACHIE (return from international duty), 26.Lachlan JACKSON (promoted), 33.Luke DeVERE (return from international duty)
Outs: 13.Jade NORTH (injured)
Unavailable: 1.Michael THEO (gk) (quad – 1 week), 2.Jerome POLENZ (quad – 3 weeks), 10.HENRIQUE (knee – 8 weeks), 13.Jade NORTH (groin – 1 week)
