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AAP
AAP
Steve Larkin

Irankunda's ALM farewell tour opens against Western Utd

Adelaide United's Nestory Irankunda will be the star attraction against Western United in Ballarat. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

Adelaide United coach Carl Veart understands why A-League Men marketeers are trumpeting the first leg of Nestory Irankunda's farewell tour.

"He's a very exciting player," Veart said ahead of Irankunda's appearance against Western United in Ballarat on Sunday.

"And I don't think you get to see too many players in Australia that can do what he can do.

"So he will definitely bring supporters to the game and as they (marketers) said, it's important that you get out ... and come see him because he is a very rare talent."

But on the other hand, Veart hoped announcing Irankunda's deal with German giants Bayern Munich would halt questions about the 17-year-old winger.

"This (transfer) is something that everyone behind closed doors has known for a long time," he said.

"It's just hopefully you guys (media) will stop asking questions about him and let him play his football because that's all we want.

"He's a young kid that's going to make a lot of mistakes and it's about him focusing and playing his football and let his football do the talking."

Irankunda returns from suspension to the Adelaide line-up with Western United coach John Aloisi putting faith in left-back Ben Garrucio to mind the star teen who will join Bayern next July.

"He is such a talent, it's great for Australian football, it's great for the A-League that he's here until the end of the season," Aloisi said.

"And he's exciting for any neutral fan to come and watch him.

"We know his strengths. We know that he's a player that we have to make sure we don't give him too much space because you give him space, he will hurt you.

"They (Adelaide) try and isolate their wingers one v one and Irankunda is very good one v one.

"The important thing with that is, if Ben Garrucia does get left one v one and Irankunda is facing him, then he's going to need a little bit of cover as well."

Aloisi maintained his charges weren't far off the pace despite one win and three losses to open their season.

And his counterpart Veart was adamant he won't jump at shadows after the Reds' shock 5-1 loss to previously winless Sydney FC last-start.

Before that result, Adelaide thumped reigning champions Central Coast and last season's losing grand finalists Melbourne City before an away draw with arch-foe Melbourne Victory.

"The boys in the first four games have had one poor performance so we're not going to make drastic changes," Veart said.

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