ADELAIDE United FC midfielder Diego is back in full training as the Reds begin to step up their intensity towards their tough September schedule.
Diego and fellow Brazilian Cassio’s imminent return to the field from hamstring and calf injuries, are encouraging for United as they prepare to tackle two of the Hyundai A-League heavyweights, Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC, plus reigning Japanese League champions Kashima Antlers twice in the AFC Champions League, within the space of 12 days.
Diego missed the Reds’ opening three Hyundai A-League matches, but the former Miami FC playmaker has been undergoing a thorough training program and is pushing to be included for United’s next match, away to the Victory on Friday 12 September.
“It has been about a month but everything is going well, I’m training with the group and will hopefully be included for Melbourne,” Diego said.
The past fortnight has been a tough training regime for Diego, comprising of two sessions a day, but he says the extra work will put him in good stead.
“It has been a hard week doing two sessions a day every day so I’m just trying to get through it, get ready for Melbourne and the following four games,” Diego said.
“For myself, Cassio and the other boys that haven’t been playing, it’s extra fitness and extra work so it has been very important.”
Diego is one of a few United players who have had experience playing more than two matches in a week, having been in that situation before during his time playing in the USA.
“I was a bit fortunate to play in the USL back in the United States where we were sometimes playing two or three games in the matter of 10 days so I’ve had that experience before,” Diego said.
“But I haven’t played in the past month so I need to be really careful and take it one game at a time."
He joked: “It’s going to be quite intense with the likes of Angelo (Costanzo) and Sasa (Ognenovski) living with you 24 hours a day. It gets a bit annoying at times but I’m sure we’ll get through it.”
United’s only injury concerns heading into this weekend’s FIFA Match Day Break are Brazilian defender Alemao (groin), and Kristian Sarkies and Robert Cornthwaite, who both rolled their ankles at training early in the week.
Diego missed the Reds’ opening three Hyundai A-League matches, but the former Miami FC playmaker has been undergoing a thorough training program and is pushing to be included for United’s next match, away to the Victory on Friday 12 September.
“It has been about a month but everything is going well, I’m training with the group and will hopefully be included for Melbourne,” Diego said.
The past fortnight has been a tough training regime for Diego, comprising of two sessions a day, but he says the extra work will put him in good stead.
“It has been a hard week doing two sessions a day every day so I’m just trying to get through it, get ready for Melbourne and the following four games,” Diego said.
“For myself, Cassio and the other boys that haven’t been playing, it’s extra fitness and extra work so it has been very important.”
Diego is one of a few United players who have had experience playing more than two matches in a week, having been in that situation before during his time playing in the USA.
“I was a bit fortunate to play in the USL back in the United States where we were sometimes playing two or three games in the matter of 10 days so I’ve had that experience before,” Diego said.
“But I haven’t played in the past month so I need to be really careful and take it one game at a time."
He joked: “It’s going to be quite intense with the likes of Angelo (Costanzo) and Sasa (Ognenovski) living with you 24 hours a day. It gets a bit annoying at times but I’m sure we’ll get through it.”
United’s only injury concerns heading into this weekend’s FIFA Match Day Break are Brazilian defender Alemao (groin), and Kristian Sarkies and Robert Cornthwaite, who both rolled their ankles at training early in the week.
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