A few home truths were rammed home to Brisbane Roar on Tuesday as they look to plug defensive holes and develop an “Italian-like” defence for the rest of their Hyundai A-League campaign.
Following the club’s 3-2 defeat to Wellington on the weekend, Roar assistant coach Ross Aloisi tore into the squad during training on Tuesday over their woeful defensive performance.
It was made clear to the squad during an intense session at the club’s base that a repeat of that showing won’t be tolerated in their meeting with Adelaide United on Saturday night.
“It was just a bit of honesty in terms of our defending,” Roar defender Shane Stefanutto told reporters of the tongue-lashing dished out by Aloisi at training.
“I know Ross as a football player and he’s exactly like that as a coach and that’s why we love Ross.
“If you need to be told something, you need to be told something. We’re men and we don’t take things like that personally. We want that feedback as well so we can rectify those issues.
“It’s about the improvement we still have in us and to continue to have throughout the season.
“We can’t just sit there and go, ‘we’ve got two wins from three games, that’s good enough good’. That’s not what it’s about.”
Stefanutto is yet to feature for Roar in 2015/16 after a calf problem hampered his pre-season.
But the ex-Socceroo left-back has returned to full training and hopes to push the likes of Corey Brown, Jerome Polenz and Jack Hingert for a starting berth.
“I’ve been on this challenge for three, four, five years now,” said Stefanutto, who will retire from playing at the end of the season.
“I’ve been on one-year deals for a long time, and had many chats with the bosses that say it’s 50-50. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I am just excited to be back out there, part of this club and contributing whatever way I am required.”
Roar are wary of a desperate Adelaide side still looking for a first win but are also after revenge after being knocked out of last year’s finals series by the Reds.
“Our aim as a team is to go there and keep clean sheets…that’s why we want to keep improving and become an Italian-like defence that is scarcely letting in goals,” added Stefanutto.
“We have high expectations at this club. We expect that of each other. Out there we are working as hard as we can to rectify this.”
