Brisbane Roar coach John Aloisi has shot down reports he could defect to Adelaide United next season in the latest round of A-League psychological warfare.
Adelaide-born Aloisi and his assistant and brother, Ross Aloisi, are both coming out of contract and have been linked to a possible move to the Reds should Guillermo Amor depart at the end of the season.
The Roar suspect the news is an attempt from the Adelaide camp to unsettle their opponents ahead of Sunday’s clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Aloisi, who intends to stay in Brisbane for the long term, said there’s “no truth” to the story at all.
“I’ve never spoken to anyone from Adelaide United,” he said.
“And I’m in positive discussions with Brisbane Roar to extend my contract.
“For me, I feel we’ve only just started here – we had a good season on the pitch, we’ve started this season pretty well, but we feel there’s so much more growth within the football club and I want to be part of it.”
Aloisi said he hopes Henrique is given a warm reception by the Brisbane faithful when he makes his first appearance at Suncorp as an opposition player.
The 31-year-old was offered a new deal last season by the Roar but opted to move to Malaysia after seven seasons with the club.
However, he failed to settle in his new surrounds, tried and failed to secure a deal a deal to return to his old club, and made his A-League comeback with Adelaide instead.
Last week, he scored two long-distance screamers to steer the Reds to their maiden win of the season over Wellington Phoenix.
“We left on good terms and now he’s back, unfortunately not with us, but it’s good to have him in the A-League anyway,” Aloisi said.
Spanish winger Manuel Arana – the player who essentially replaced Henrique – has made only one start and is yet to show anything resembling the Brazilian-Australian’s quality output.
But far from being under pressure to produce, Aloisi said he was holding Arana back to ensure he is fully fit for Brisbane’s busy schedule in the new year, when their AFC Champions League qualification campaign will test squad depth.
“Arana’s going to be a very good for us. We’re being careful, we’ll give him bits now to make sure when he does play more regularly, that he’s ready to go,” he said.
STATS THAT MATTER
* Henrique faces off against his former team on the back of scoring his first brace since netting a hat trick in November 2014.
* Adelaide United are undefeated in their last three games against Brisbane Roar (W2, D1) including wins both at home and on the road.
* Brisbane Roar have ended their last four games in stalemate (all 1-1); only twice in A-League history has any team gone more games without a win or a loss.
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