Preview: Adelaide United v Málaga CF
Adelaide United finished preparations for their highly anticipated preseason friendly against Málaga CF on Thursday afternoon with a training session at the new Adelaide Oval.
After already playing against local side MetroStars as well as fellow A-League club Perth Glory, the game against Málaga is set to be the toughest test for Josep Gombau’s side, as they continue to ready themselves for the start of the 2014-2015 Hyundai A-League season.
Speaking after the Reds’ final hit-out before the game tonight, forward Bruce Djite said the opportunity to play against a well-known and high quality European side, like Málaga, has gotten the entire squad eager for the occasion.
“As a player, you always want to test yourself against the best and this is an opportunity for us to do that,” said Djite.
“For us as a squad it’s also fantastic preparation for the new A-League season and something that we’re all looking forward to.
“But it’s also something that I’m sure we’ll all enjoy because it’s not everyday you get to play against players of Málaga’s caliber and experience.”
Although the game is a friendly on paper, both teams are committed to ensuring a competitive spectacle is put on for the fans and are going to use it as an opportunity to assess where they are ahead of their respective campaigns.
Reds coach, Gombau, said, “It is a football game and so we have to try and be competitive because it is our job – regardless of the game’s nature.
“I hope it will be open with both sides playing good, attacking football.
“Our focus is on us, though. It is more important to work on our style of football than our opposition in a friendly.
“Having said that, it’s a great opportunity for fans who don’t usually come to our matches to experience and enjoy the atmosphere of our games.”
Sergio Cirio is one player who is perhaps more excited than the majority of his Adelaide teammates as he will have the opportunity to play against Spanish opposition for the first time since joining the club last season.
“As a child, this was the type of game that I dreamt of playing and so I cannot wait for it.
“But it is also great for the entire club because we will be able to show our football to the people of Spain and show how far Australian football has come.”
Tickets are still available for the match and Gombau and his squad are hoping that as many people as possible will come to the game and support the Reds.
“It isn’t often that clubs from overseas come to play in Adelaide and when they do it is important for our footballing community to show the world that we are ready to take the next step with our club.”
LFP World Challenge
Adelaide United FC v Málaga CF
Friday, 25 July 2014
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Kick-off: 7:30pm local
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Tickets: Call Ticketek on 132 849
Twitter: http://twitter.com/adelutd_fc (hash-tag #ADLvMCF)
Facebook: http://tfacebook.com/adelaideunitedfc
Instagram: http://instagram.com/adelutd_fc (hash-tag #ADLvMCF)
Adelaide United FC Squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (GK) (c), 3.Nigel BOOGAARD, 4.Dylan McGOWAN, 5.Osama MALIK, 7.JERONIMO, 8.ISAIAS, 9.Sergio CIRIO, 10.Marcelo CARRUSCA, 11.Bruce DJITE, 12. Mark OCHIENG, 13.Dylan SMITH, 15.Ben WARLAND, 16.Scott NAGEL, 18.Jimmy JEGGO, 20.Paul IZZO (GK), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 23.Jordan ELSEY, 24.Bruce KAMAU, 25.Ryan KITTO, 26.Anthony COSTA, 30.John HALL (GK), 32.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS
Unavailable: Michael MARRONE (Ankle – 4-6 weeks), CASSIO (hamstring – indefinite), Cameron WATSON (toe – 1-2 weeks), Awer MABIL (hip – 1-2 weeks), Fabio FERREIRA (ankle – 4 weeks)
Málaga CF Squad: 1.KAMENI, 2.JESÚS GÁMEZ, 3.WELIGTON, 5.ANTUNES, 6.CAMACHO, 7.JUANMI, 9.SANTA CRUZ, 11.PABLO PÉREZ, 14.RECIO, 15.ANGELERI, 16.RESCALDANI, 17.DUDA, 18.S. DARDER, 19.R. HORTA, 20.CASADO, 21.SERGIO SÁNCHEZ, 23.LUIS ALBERTO, 24.ROSALES, 25.COUSILLAS, 26.SAMU CASTILLEJO, 27.RAFA VICENTE, 28.JUANPI, 29.ERNESTO, 30.KUKI ZALAZAR
