Al Wasl’s preparation for Thursday’s Bur Dubai derby have been seriously disrupted after boss Gabriel Calderon revealed he does not “know anything” about new boy Rogerinho and did not want to ditch Edgar Bruno.
The fourth-placed Cheetahs sprung into action on the penultimate day of the winter transfer window, dropping the resident target man from their four-player foreign quota in favour of a five-month loan deal for diminuitive playmaker Rogerinho from Kuwait SC.
This situation has provided a less-than-perfect build-up for the high-pressure Arabian Gulf League clash at their Zabeel Stadium against Al Nasr.
“We had a plan and I wanted to continue with it until the end of the season,” said 55-year-old Calderon, while sat alongside his new arrival.
“I leave the decision to choose the players to the administration, but now it will change our way of playing because Rogerinho is short in stature unlike Edgar.
“I also do not know anything about him.
“Edgar is not the best, but he gives his all for the team. I wanted to continue because there is no guarantee the alternative would be better than him.
“I have a wonderful relationship with the management and I respect the desire of the supporters, but they did not like the player from the start.”
Rogerinho should herald the return of the intricate attacking play experienced last term before forward Ederson departed for Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol. The 28-year-old also brings a stellar record in derbies and he hoped to continue this in the UAE.
He said: “I know that Al Wasl is very big team with great history and I am looking to give my best to help my team in the upcoming matches.
“I am aware of the importance of this match, I played many derbies in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and lost only one. I am ready to give my best with my colleagues, and we will follow the coach’s instructions.
“After all, I can’t choose when I start and I have to be ready to play in any match.”
Against their rivals, Nasr are protecting both third spot in the table – which is usually the final AFC Champions League spot in the league – and a proud record which has seen them go almost seven years without losing the heated fixture.
“It is not something I am thinking about, and I have not thought about it for the last three years I’ve been here at Nasr,” said Blue Wave supremo Ivan Jovanovic when asked about the club’s run. “For me, it is a game which is interesting for the fans and team.
“For me as coach, we have to prepare well to show a good image on the field and win the game. I believe the fact for a long period our team have had positive results is not in our favour or against us.
“Every game is a new challenge. Concerning both teams, it is a new challenge and every game is like this. In the future, it will be the same.”
