Baba Diawara at training. Picture: Dylan Coker

Adelaide coach Guillermo Amor usually gives away a more than subtle hint if players will start when questioned pre game before the Reds host Japan’s Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League clash at Hindmarsh on Wednesday night.

Amor was also asked if South Korean midfielder Kim Jae-sung, who won the Champions League with Pohang Steelers in 2009, would start after he made an impressive debut off the bench last Friday.

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Judging by Amor’s reaction Baba won’t be in the first XI.

The Senegalese striker played his last match, 26 minutes off the bench for his then Portuguese club Maritimo in a scoreless draw with Chaves in Portugal’s Primeira Liga on November 26.

“It’s possible that they’ll start or not but tomorrow we’ll decide,’’ Amor said.

“It’s good to have 18 on the list (the squad, a starting XI and seven subs to choose from) it’s always good it’s not 16 (like the A-League) and for the coaches it’s better.”

Baba Diawara and Kim Jae-sung in Adelaide’s Asian Champions League kits. Picture: Calum RobertsonSource:News Corp Australia

Baba and Kim Jae-sung on Tuesday modelled Adelaide’s 2017 Champions League home-and-away kit with the pair also brandishing new sponsor Broken Hill-based AusGold Mining Group.

But with Amor keeping his first XI cards close to his chest he declared Adelaide will not be changing their game plan for the Champions League.

“You don’t change (formations and tactics) in the A-League in seven days because sometimes you can have problems,’’ Amor said.

“Imagine in the Champions League (a tactical change) in three or four days. “You believe in a system you work hard and create it, to change the system totally is very difficult.”

Amor however is certain Isaias won’t be part of Adelaide’s opening night on the biggest club stage of Asian football in 2017.

The holding midfielder was forced off the park at half time of Adelaide’s 1-0 win over Newcastle Jets at Hindmarsh last Friday with a knee injury.

Amor confirmed the injury claiming Isaias may also have the same problem which dogged Sergio Cirio earlier this season when he damaged his knee medial ligament.

“It could be three, four, five (weeks out of action) we’ll wait,’’ Amor said about Isaias’ injury which he seemingly picked up when his studs got stuck in the turf just before he passed the ball forward.

Baba Diawara at training. Picture: Dylan CokerSource:News Corp Australia

Riley McGree who played in Isaias’ role during the second half last Friday appears likely to stay in that position.

With Tarek Elrich named captain for the clash given regular skipper Eugene Galekovic is ruled out with a shoulder injury and second-in-charge Marcelo Carrausca forced to take a Champions League sabbatical because he was dumped from the international club squad, the Reds defender expects Adelaide to start its campaign with a new mentality after hitting rock bottom in the A-League.

Elrich expects Gamba to feel the effects of the Adelaide summer given the side has been spending most of its preseason mostly in maximum temperatures below 10C.

With today’s forecast amended to a 29C maximum Elrich also claimed Adelaide cannot solely rely on the heat and a superior fitness base to beat the 2008 Champions League winner.

Originally published as Will Diawara start for United?