After a solid first season at City, Adrian Luna is looking to continue the work and help the Club push for trophies in the upcoming 2020/21 A-League season.
The Uruguayan midfielder made 25 appearances in a season that was unlike any that we’d seen before or are likely to see again.
The COVID-forced season suspension lasted almost four months and Luna used that time to travel to Mexico where he had left his family behind to take up the opportunity in Melbourne. While he spent upwards of 80 days isolated indoors to protect his family from the virus, Luna said that he was grateful he got to spend so much time with them.
“It was very good because I’d been in Melbourne alone for about nine months so it was nice to be with my family again,” he said.
“After being by myself for so long it was just great to see my kids again, it was unbelievable because I’d missed them so much so to spend that time with them was amazing.”
Upon returning to Melbourne for the A-League season resumption, Luna was forced to quarantine in a hotel for 14 days. Although it was a tough experience, Luna said he was able to mentally prepare himself for it, knowing well in advance that it would be a requirement to getting back on the pitch for City.
The work does not stop in quarantine! 💪🇺🇾
Adrian Luna is halfway through his hotel quarantine as the Uruguayan looks to keep himself in top shape when he joins the squad this time next week. pic.twitter.com/1xRrK84z9V
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) July 2, 2020
“I had a treadmill, bike, some weights, and they also sent me a program to do which allowed me to stay busy and get myself in the right physical condition,” he said.
Following the quarantine, Luna re-joined his teammates in the Hunter Valley hub and helped take the team all the way to the Grand Final. While it was disappointing to ultimately come up short, he said that there was still plenty of positives to take out of the season.
“Overall, the whole year was good for the Club and we were able to improve a lot of things and we really now understand the way we want to play,” Luna said, “Now it’s all just about making sure we continue on the work this season.”
Luna scored five goals and provided another five assists in his first season in City colours, and he said he will look to increase those numbers and build on his game this season.
“For my first year at the Club I was pretty happy with my performance but I know I can improve this year and I’m very much forward looking to it,” Luna said.
Adrián Luna has been shining bright for @MelbourneCity so far this Hyundai #ALeague season 🌜#ThreeThings #FootballReturns pic.twitter.com/sg75Kj1v92
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) July 8, 2020
Luna joined City after having spent most of his career as a winger but found himself mostly playing as an attacking midfielder in Erick Mombaerts’ team. While this initially may not have been the position he was used to, you can expect to see Luna play it again this season.
“I think I’m now very comfortable in the attacking midfield role,” he said, “I understand it well and I know exactly what the coaches want from me.”
There are a few new faces who have joined City this season, including Socceroo Andrew Nabbout who Luna said he is excited to play alongside.
“Nabbout is a very good player and obviously he has experience playing for the national team,” Luna said, “Not only him but all of the new signings are looking great so far.”
“They need to quickly understand the way we want to play, which they are doing, and I think the team will be better than last year.”
City are now over a month into pre-season training and Luna said while it has been hard work, it is going smoothly and the squad is shaping up well for the start of the season.
“There has been lots of running and also plenty of tactical stuff which is important for the new boys to get an idea of the Club and the way we want to play,” he said.
It’s been a good first month or so and we are looking forward to continuing the work over the next few weeks.”
The 2020/21 A-League season kicks off on December 27. Stay tuned to melbournecityfc.com.au for fixture details in the coming weeks!
