Atlanta United manager Ronny Deila said Tuesday that he’s pleased with the progress the team is making leaning his preferred concepts of play.
Because of inclement weather, the team practiced at the Falcons’ indoor facility. Deila and his staff have spent seven sessions working the players on defending the middle of the pitch by staying close together, and on offense, creating overloads on the wings.
“The first week has been very good,” he said.
Deila said he’s been pleased with the intensity — “You should have seen yesterday,” fullback Ronald Hernandez said — as the team also works to improve fitness.
“He’s very clever in what he wants and the way he wants us to approach the game,” Hernandez said.
The team has benefited by most of the players being available, Deila said. Brooks Lennon remains out after suffering a shoulder injury in last season’s playoffs. He could be seen working out with a trainer Tuesday. Centerback Stian Gregersen remains out because he is working to secure his green card.
“We just need to say the same things over and over again, so it’s going to be automatic for them,” Deila said. “But as I said, the eagerness to learn and application into training has been very good.”
The team is scheduled to play its first preseason exhibition Saturday in Chattanooga. After that match, Deila and his staff will have one-one-ones with players to discuss the good things and the ones that need improvement.
Deila said he already can see the players communicating during drills what they should be doing. He doesn’t mind if players make mistakes as long as they are learning. Doing so can build trust.
“I need to trust you, you know, and you need to trust me, and you need to trust each other,” he said. “And that is the basic things to create a culture and environment that you feel safe, that you feel a part of something, and you start to enjoy playing football.”
Assistant coaches. Deila said he retained Carl Robinson and Matt Lawrey from Rob Valentino’s staff because they bring experience about opponents, the city and the players.
“It would have been very stupid if I don’t use that kind of information,” he said.
Preseason addition. Deila said Atlanta United has added a sixth exhibition match. It will be played against Orlando, either Feb. 5 or 6, after the team arrives in Bradenton, Florida. The first match will be Saturday at Chattanooga. Other scheduled matches are at Birmingham on Feb. 1, vs. New England in Bradenton on Feb. 8, vs. Cincinnati in Bradenton on Feb. 12, and against Dallas on Feb. 15 at the team’s training ground in Marietta.
No transfers yet. Deila said that no incoming transfers are completed. The team reportedly is finalizing deals with Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte Lath and Newcastle winger Miguel Almiron. Deila said he has heard the rumors but declined to say the names of any players. Both players made the game-day rosters for their clubs last week, which is a sign that no transfer is imminent.
“They will have to want to come because I don’t want players here, if they don’t want to play here, “ Deila said. “They have to want to come here because they want to achieve something, not because they want to earn money. And there has to be the right price and there has to be the right type. So we have done some work, but still we haven’t gotten yet over the finish line with anybody yet.”
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
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