Adelaide United midfielder Ethan Alagich says his side are up for the fight when they face Auckland FC in the first leg of their semi-final clash this weekend.
The Black Knights booked their two-legged affair against Adelaide after overcoming reigning Champions Melbourne City in a thrilling penalty shootout last weekend whilst the Reds enjoyed the week off after sealing second place on the final day of the regular season.
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That break could well come in handy for Adelaide as Airton Andrioli’s side got to rest up and watch on as an injury-hit Auckland FC eventually ground out their win on home soil with a squad nursing numerous injury concerns.
However, despite them enjoying the weekend off Adelaide midfielder Alagich admits his side are well aware of the physical challenge that awaits them this weekend at Go Media Stadium.
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“Obviously we know what type of team they are. They’re a strong team, and they’ll use that and rightly so,” said the young midfielder when addressing the media on Tuesday.
“But I don’t think we’re too out of size. I think we’ve got some tall boys as well and I think that goes a little bit unnoticed.
“No matter how big or small our team is we’re going to be ready for the fight and we’ll give back whatever they give us.”
Adelaide went from strength to strength as the season reached it’s climax and ultimately secured second spot and with it, a place in the lucrative AFC Champions League Elite playoffs next season thanks to their dramatic 2-1 win over Melbourne City on the final day of the season.
Now, Alagich believes the Reds are a match for anyone in the competition.
“We don’t fear anyone. I think we’re the best football playing team (or) one of the best football playing teams in the league.
“I think the season we’ve had we’ve shown how good we can be and the results we’ve got and I don’t think we should be afraid of anyone, no matter who is in front of us.”
Missing out on Saturday night will be joint Golden Boot winner Luka Jovanovic, who is now suspended for the first leg of the semi-final after being sent off in the final game of last season.
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Likely to be replacing the young Aussie striker in the starting line-up will be Brazilian veteran Anselmo de Moraes, who will certainly add some physicality of his own to the Adelaide side.
“I mean, you look at him and he’s just a unit. He’s a strong guy and no one can win the ball off him and the way he holds up the ball, I’ve never seen anything like it before.
“Obviously he’s made an impact whether he’s started, whether he’s come on and you can see that in recent weeks when he’s been fit and he’s been unbelievable.”
