Melbourne Victory is set to come up against a well-prepared and hungry Adelaide United, insists Guillermo Amor and Michael Marrone.
With the Reds travelling to Melbourne to face the reigning Hyundai A-League Champions, United have a difficult task ahead of them in Round 8.
But despite Adelaide being yet to secure the full three points in a fixture this campaign, Guillermo Amor said his team are fully prepared and eagerly anticipating the game with their fierce rivals.
“My feelings are good before this game and for my team,” Amor said. “Our team works very hard and we are always prepared.
“We want to win all of our games and we will be going to Melbourne for the same.
“We want to play a good game and winning is very possible for us.
“We know Victory and we know their team very well. They have good players and they’re always at the top of the table. Victory is Victory and they’re at a very high level.
“But Adelaide is a big team and we’re a great team. We’re hungry and we’ll be thinking about our game and what we need to do, like always.”
Speaking on the state of his squad, discussing the absence of defender, Osama Malik, in particular, Amor said there would be the possibility for Adelaide United Youth Team defender, Ruon Tongyik, to feature in the match-day squad.
He also mentioned, however, that there are a number of capable players throughout the Reds’ team that ensure United remains a strong unit.
“Ruon comes in (for Osama Malik) and is a central defender. He’s in the list and is a player from the Youth Team.
“We also have (Dylan) McGowan, (Jordan) Elsey, Micky (Marrone), and Tarek (Elrich), we have eleven players that can all do a job (if we ask).
“We always put up the best team that we think can win the games that we play. Physically our players are good and we’ve made decisions that have been tactical for the good of the team (in recent weeks).
“All our players are important and whether players play or not, the group is the most important.
“The last weeks, the results have not been good, but we will do everything to get the three points.”
Michael Marrone echoed his Head Coach’s words of confidence, saying he and his teammates know what they’re coming up against and believe the can leave Etihad with the three points.
“We’ve done enough video sessions on them and we know how they play, so we just have to concentrate on ourselves,” Marrone explained.
“We kept a clean sheet last week and we had a few chances. I don’t think we played too bad, but there’s always room for improvement and if we keep more structured, frustrating Victory, creating chances of our own, we’ll be fine.
“The way they play and the way they set up, they foul early and get behind the ball. They’re quick to go forward and their front three are fast, but they’re good across the board.
“The games (between Victory and United) are always good and hopefully we can get the three points and bring them back to Adelaide.”
When asked about the state of the rivalry between the two clubs and if the Reds’ current form was perhaps hindering the mentality of the United players, Marrone’s response was simple: “Look, I’ve never gone over there and thought that we couldn’t get a result, and I still feel the same.
“We can go there and get the win. I think you have to have that feeling as a player, otherwise you shouldn’t be playing.”
Adelaide United will face Melbourne Victory in Round 8 of the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 season on Saturday, 28 November 2015, at Etihad Stadium. Kick off is at 7.00pm ACDT.
