PETALING JAYA: Giancarlo Gallifuoco has long been known as an industrious and strong centreback for Kuala Lumpur, but tomorrow, the Australian could be in for a new role.
The 32-year-old could be deployed as a midfielder, particularly in the defensive midfield position, when KL City take on Brunei in the FA Cup quarter-finals second leg at the Cheras Football Stadium.
Both sides are tied 3-3 after the first leg in Bandar Seri Begawan on Sept 20.
Gallifuoco, who has been with the club since 2021 and won the Malaysia Cup that year, confirmed he has been training in the role for the past three weeks.
He was also part of the side that finished runners-up in the 2022 AFC Cup and the 2023 FA Cup.
The former Melbourne Victory player is being considered for the midfield because coach Datuk Dollah Salleh wants to field Ukrainian Dmytro Lytvyn and Ghanaian Joseph Adjei as his centrebacks.
Dollah also believes Gallifuoco has what it takes to be a midfield enforcer.
In the 3-3 draw, Gallifuoco played in midfield for the last 20 minutes, and his driving runs raised the team’s urgency. Kuala Lumpur scored their last two goals in the 72nd and 77th minutes.
Gallifuoco, who has played in midfield before during his time in Australia and England, said he was game for the role as long as it fitted the coach’s tactical plans.
“When Adjei and Dima (Lytvyn) joined the team, the coach brought me aside and asked me if I could play as a midfielder because he saw me pushing the team forward with my plays from midfield,” said the former Tottenham Hotspur player.
“He needed someone to drive the team and felt I suited the role.
“For this club, I am ready to do anything, and it also helps in the development of my game.
“I love the defensive work – clearances, tackles, interceptions, blocks and challenges – but now there is just a bit more work, which is to make passes and be the bridge between attack and defence.
“I’m game for it and will work hard to make things happen for this club. We have trained for three weeks, and we will make it work. Getting to the semi-finals of the FA Cup would be great for the club.”
Gallifuoco added that he was willing to do whatever it takes for his club and teammates.
“I do truly believe that my success as a footballer is being a player who tries to make everyone around me better. And I feel like everything else takes care of itself.
“If you’re willing to honestly work hard, and honestly be a good teammate, and help everyone around you, then you also shine through their shining.
“So if this is the role that I have to play at the moment, then I’m happy to play it for the betterment of my team.”
If the City Boys get past Brunei, they will face Johor Darul Ta’zim in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Gallifuoco, who has been in Malaysia for almost six years, gave an update on his naturalisation status.
“My lawyer is in contact with Kuala Lumpur, who are now taking the necessary steps to move forward.
“I believe we are waiting on a few approvals from FAM, and once those are through, we can hopefully move ahead with the next steps for naturalisation.”
