What an incredible rollercoaster of a season it has been for Adelaide United. From bottom of the table after eight rounds, to securing an unprecedented double, one of the greatest ever Australian sporting narratives, let alone football stories was scripted.
The Story
Adelaide’s season looked glum, before it had even commenced. The sudden departure of Josep Gombau in July sent shockwaves through the squad as incumbent technical director Guillermo Amor was entrusted with the coaching responsibility. It was certainly a far cry from a seamless transition under the rein of the Barcelona legend. Winless in the opening two months and rooted to the bottom of the ladder, some quarters began calling for his resignation, with the hashtag #AmorOut permeating across social media.
But instead of yielding to the pressure, Amor remained defiant and it galvanised the squad. A 1-0 win over Perth Glory in December ultimately proved the critical turning point in their floundering start. It proved the catalyst for Amor’s men and they did not look back since. That win precipitated a phenomenal resurgence of 14 matches unbeaten – a new club record – to climb the summit of the table by round 22.
A 1-0 home defeat against Melbourne City a week later was a mere aberration, as the Reds fulfilled their destiny and history was made, clinching the Premier’s Plate on the final round of the regular campaign. Adelaide’s performances in previous finals series were largely unenviable, but they immediately quashed talk of being ‘pretenders’ – dispatching City 4-1 in a home semi-final to book a first-ever home grand final. United’s momentum and blistering form meant they were marginal favourites for the title over Western Sydney Wanderers. They lived up to the bill, with an emphatic 3-1 triumph to secure a maiden Championship in front of an electric Adelaide Oval atmosphere of more than 50,000 people.
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Key Player – Isaias
Surprisingly no players from Adelaide were included in the Professional Footballers Australia Team of the Year. Though it was strangely fitting and indicative of the Reds boasting a champion team, rather than team of individual champions. The cornerstone of their success was teamwork with the responsibility collectively shared across the park.
Nevertheless, one man who consistently delivered throughout the year was Isaias. The Spaniard was simply brilliant, anchoring the midfield and screening the back four. He was the engine which powered the midfield and was just as effective offensively, as well as from a defensive perspective. His industrious ability to cut out the passing channels of opposition teams and break-up the play in midfield, nullifying the supply to attackers, is symptomatic of his sheer quality.
The 29-year-old also added goals to his repertoire and since February has transformed into a dead-ball specialist – scoring three free-kicks. His stunning set piece, hit with pinpoint accuracy against the Wanderers, will forever be synonymous with the 2016 grand final and in the process was justifiably awarded the Joe Marston Medal for best on ground.
Manager
Cool, composed and reserved. These are the main attributes of Guillermo Amor. Fans called for the Spanish tactician to show more emotion on the sidelines during their slump, however, it was exactly this soothing temperament which rubbed off onto his troops and avoided fractions within the group. Huge credit must go to Amor for managing this remarkable turnaround. So often nowadays, when a side goes through a rut of Adelaide’s magnitude, the coach tends to lose the dressing room, but they remained loyal and bought into his philosophy. Amor’s men grew in confidence after each victory and no opposition had any answers to thwart the Reds’ juggernaut (barring City) and testament to the 48-year-old’s willingness to alter his tactics depending on the opponent.
Unlike his predecessor, Josep Gombau who was insistent on maintaining possession at all costs, with little focus on the defensive structure, Amor tweaked the system. He had a greater emphasis on being organised as a unit and not always implementing a high-pressing game. Initially, it took time for the squad to adjust, but it paid massive dividends for a man in his first senior coaching role.
Offseason Recruitment
Adelaide did not experience much luck with their new arrivals as they struggled with respective injuries. Experienced hardman Iacopo La Rocca was signed from the Wanderers, but missed the entire first-half of the campaign with a broken foot and then handed a three-match suspension in February. However, when the Italian was fit, he showcased why he was an inspired acquisition and formed a formidable partnership alongside Dylan McGowan. Eli Babalj was signed on-loan from AZ Alkmaar in the hope of rejuvenating his career, but a foot complaint sidelined him for an extensive period, before rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament against Brisbane in January.
Unknown youngster George Mells was purchased from Southampton and featured heavily over the season, predominantly off the bench. Mate Dugandzic failed to break into the first-team and also had his own injury concerns.
However, it was the January transfer window which proved pivotal in the Reds’ success. Adelaide-born Stefan Mauk returned home in exchange for Osama Malik, while Jimmy Jeggo then jetted off to Europe to pursue a career overseas in Austria. Mauk quickly endeared himself to the supporters due the dynamism and potency he provided in midfield and was perceived as an upgrade on Jeggo, given his goal-scoring capabilities.
Grade – A+
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