Adelaide United Head Coach, Guillermo Amor, and defender, Ben Garuccio are confident of avenging the Club’s heavy February home loss to Perth Glory when the two sides clash at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.
Adelaide are currently enjoying a four-game unbeaten streak, with Amor and Garuccio determined to consolidate that momentum for the remainder of the campaign.
However, United have yet to taste success against the Glory this season and will be eyeing a scalp over their Western Australian neighbours.
Last week the Reds recorded a resilient 3-2 win versus the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford, while Kenny Lowe’s men were consigned to a 3-0 home loss against league leaders Sydney FC.
Amor stated sticking to the gameplan will be crucial to securing the three points over Perth.
“The key is to play our game, to play as a team and to have the initiative,” Amor said.
“To press well, to recover well without the ball and this is very important playing at home.
“We go for win tomorrow and these three points must be for us.”
Adelaide will be buoyed by the return of midfielders Riley McGree and Marcelo Carrusca from international duty and suspension respectively, bolstering the centre of the field.
Amor said he was delighted to have so many options at his disposal.
“We have players and we can decide different options,” he said.
“Everyone is very good and this is important for us.”
The Reds traditionally boast a near impenetrable home record over the Glory in recent times, succumbing to one defeat in their previous seven matches at Coopers Stadium.
But that defeat was the side’s biggest home loss and Garuccio said the team is intent on rectifying that negative result which occurred in Round 19.
“It’s never good losing at home by such a scoreline,” he said.
“So tomorrow would be great to get the win not only for us but for the fans.
“We want to make things right.
“Games like that always stick in your memory not for the right reasons.”
Garuccio affirmed regardless of the scenario, Adelaide will continue to fight until the end of the season in both the Hyundai A-League and AFC Champions League.
“Everyone in the team and also the coach has made it clear that we’re not just going to go down without a fight,” Garuccio said.
“We’re going to play to the very last game, no matter what it means in the league.
“To finish as high as we can and of course in the ACL to go as far as we can.
“We’ve got six more games and for us it means winning every one if we can.”
Garuccio, who has featured in every game for Adelaide in all competitions this season, attributed his impressive form to playing regularly.
“I think it’s the most consistent game time I’ve had,” he continued.
“I’ve said that all year round that with consistent game time comes better performances.
“So I’ve been thankful for that and just going into the last part of the season I want to play as much as I can and repay that faith.”
Adelaide United host Perth Glory in Round 25 of the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 season on Friday, 31 March at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.20pm ACDT.
