Marcelo Carrusca hopes Osama Malik will become the latest key player to extend his Adelaide United contract as the team pushes for Hyundai A-League glory.
Argentine playmaker Carrusca joined Spanish midfielder Isaias and defender Michael Marrone in committing this future to the South Australian club last week.
Another member of the Reds’ Latin legion, former Barcelona academy player Sergio Cirio, inked a new deal in January.
Talented utility player Malik, who has blossomed under Josep Gombau and is comfortable in defence and midfield, is out of contract at the end of the season.
And while he doesn’t know what the 24-year-old’s decision will be, Carrusca is adamant he wants the former North Queensland Fury man to stay.
“I hope Ozzie will sign soon because he’s a very good player and we need him. We will see what happens with his position,” he said.
Adelaide sit third on the table ahead of Round 19, level with second-placed Melbourne Victory and two points behind Perth Glory.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Carrusca confirmed the prospect of challenging for the Premiership trophy is driving the team on.
“Every training [session], every week we train to win on the weekend,” he said.
“There are nine more games. We have to try our best to win, to keep [playing] this style of football and to get results. We have a long way [to go].”
Quizzed on the psychological importance of finishing in the top two, the Estudiantes graduate said: “It can be (a) mental (advantage) but we are a strong team, we know what we want, we know [what our] aim [is].”
Up next for the Reds is an away game against the unpredictable Melbourne City FC on Friday night. The visitors will be without Isaias through suspension while an ankle ligament injury has Malik in doubt for the rest of the campaign.
Nevertheless, Carrusca is confident Adelaide can overcome John van ‘t Schip’s side.
“Melbourne (City) is a very good team with good quality players,” Carrusca said.
“We’ll see the (analysis) videos and try to find how to we can damage them and focus on what we can do.”
