Adelaide United Head Coach Theo Tsiounis says the Reds have focused on freshening up and reloading across a long week, as they turn their attention to Saturday’s rescheduled clash with Melbourne City.
Following a demanding travel block and a defeat in Wellington, Tsiounis said the group has responded well on the training pitch and will be aiming to produce a positive reaction against one of the competition’s most consistent sides.
Tsiounis on the group’s response at training…
“It’s been a long week, with travel from Newcastle to Wellington. The main thing was to freshen up when we got back. Players have had a day or two off, and now we’ve started the engine and prepared for Melbourne City. Hopefully we get a positive reaction in the game.”
Tsiounis on Melbourne City’s threats and where the opportunities are…
“They probably have the strongest squad in the country. They’ve got quality individual players, they’re good on the ball, and strong off the ball, so they’re a tough team to play against. Key moments and individual players are often the difference in this league. McNamara is a goal scorer – she can pop up and score at any moment. Defensively, they’re well organised, with speed and aggression. They’re a tough team to break down, so we’ll have to be at our best on and off the ball to get something from the game.”
Tsiounis on whether the reschedule has helped with recovery…
“It definitely helps. It’s a demanding schedule, and we’ve had a lot of games in a short period of time. The girls are recovering now, and we’ve got a squad we can rotate and use. That’s important to make sure we have fresh players who can bring energy and consistency to our playing principles.”
Tsiounis on Lara Gooch’s progress…
“Lara is progressing well, but she’s still away from returning and training with the group. Hopefully she’ll be back in the next few weeks as well.”
