Carrusca ideal for Reds

Carrusca was quick to catch the eye of Kosmina and the Reds’ football department as they explored possible imports to complement the squad, the 28-year-old midfielder fitting the bill of what the United coach was after. 

“He’s a quality player. We did a lot of looking … and I had a particular type of player in mind,” Kosmina said.

“I wanted a left-sided midfielder, I wanted someone who was good in one-on-ones and I wanted a bit of elegance – not saying that we don’t have it within the group already but there are some guys who have got that little bit of extra specialness about them.” 

With the experience of playing in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana, as well as representing Argentina at under-20 level, Carrusca brings a wealth of first-class football together with a unique quality that Kosmina believes will benefit the squad.

“The good thing about a player like Marcelo is that he’s got experience on his side,” Kosmina said. 

“He’s played at a really high level for a long period of time, so for him to step into a situation, even if he’s a little bit underdone, I think he’ll still be smart enough to have a good impact. 

“He’s a great passer of the ball and I wanted someone with that little bit of smoothness and subtlety about him and he’s got it.” 

Carrusca arrived in Adelaide last week, successfully passing a medical examination before familiarising himself with his new club. 

Speaking to a media gathering with the aid of his agent acting as a translator, Carrusca was a man of few words, hoping to instead let his talent and actions on the field do the talking.

“I’m very happy to be here and my teammates and the club have treated me very well,” Carrusca said.

Now that Carrusca’s move is permanent, the Reds' next requirement is to get him up to speed in terms of his fitness to ensure he is in the best possible condition for the AFC Champions League quarter-final against Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan.

Carrusca will take the Reds’ final foreign spot for the knockout stage which became vacant after the departure of Francisco Usucar.