With Hyundai A-League finals around the corner and just one more domestic match to play, Adelaide United defender Michael Marrone has made his side’s intentions clear ahead of the Reds’ match with Melbourne City this weekend.
Adelaide United are putting their final preparations in place ahead of their Round 27 fixture at Coopers Stadium against Melbourne City, and despite the match having little bearing on United’s finals fate, Michael Marrone has said the Reds will be giving it their all this weekend.
“We never go into games trying to lose and we will still put out the strongest squad we have (this week),” Marrone said.
“We want to get some momentum going into the finals. Losing last game (against Western Sydney Wanderers) was tough.
“I thought we played not too bad, but with one game before finals we want to get on a roll and get a win to get our confidence up.”
Assessing United’s opponents, Marrone said that City will undoubtedly be ready for the match, but still highlighted the importance of pushing for glory in the finals as being the side’s main objective.
“Melbourne are going to be a very tough team (to come up against),” he explained.
“They’ve got some great players and if they can get it together like they did last time against us, they’ll be extremely tough to beat.
“(This season) we’ve played a few games where we probably haven’t played as well as other games and we’ve still managed to get results. Then there have been games where we dominate possession and have teams nick one on the counter.
“Josep (Gombau) has been telling us all this week that once finals start it’s a whole new competition. So sometimes form goes out the window and you could be fifth or sixth, or third or fourth and still make a run into the final.”
“We’ve got this squad at the moment so we’re going to try and do the best we can (from now and through the finals).
“If we can put in a good performance and get the confidence up with a win, it’ll be great.
“Besides, no one remembers where you finish at the end of the year if you win it.”
Adelaide United next host Melbourne City in Round 27 of the Hyundai 2014/15 A-League season on Saturday, 25 April at Coopers Stadium. Kick off at 7:00pm ACST. To purchase tickets, click here.
