A-League – What We Learned – Adelaide United 0 Melbourne City 1

A-League – What We Learned – Adelaide United 0 Melbourne City 1

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Melbourne City have moved to within a point of the A-League summit with a convincing 1-0 win against Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium.

Nick Fitzgerald’s stunning strike earned maximum points against opposition that had not lost in 14 previous outings.

Both sides clearly understood the implications of a negative result, which led to some conservative play in the early stages but that pattern was completely abandoned thereafter in what was a thrilling encounter.


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“Eugenious” shows no signs of slowing down

In his 250th appearance for the club where he has been crowned as Player’s Player of the Season on three occasions, Eugene Galekovic proved yet again how commanding his presence is between the posts.

Adelaide’s goal led a charmed life throughout the contest, and really should have lost this game by a heavier margin – if not for the heroics of the 34-year-old goalkeeper.

Galekovic was a thorn in the side of Harry Novillo, who, try as he might, could not find a clear route to goal. However, the former Melbourne Victory shot stopper’s best moment was a stunning save from a seemingly goal-bound Aaron Mooy free kick midway through the first half.

Adelaide’s captain may not have been on the winning side on this occasion, but can hold his head high after a domineering performance. His lead-by-example attitude and overall class is one of the crucial facets of Guillermo Amor’s setup.

Osama Malik could be crucial in City’s quest for maiden title

Malik’s saved his best performance for his former club, continually stifling Adelaide’s attacks which his no-fuss distribution allowed City’s more creative outlets to continually peg the hosts back.

The midfielder’s smart positional play affected matters further up the pitch. Bruno Fornaroli occupied at least one of Dylan McGowan or Iacopo La Rocca, sometimes both, allowing Mooy to pull the strings with less defensive responsibility and more time in possession. It would be Mooy and Fornaroli who were chief architects of the game’s winning goal.

Malik amassed five interceptions, two successful tackles, and won two of three aerial duels. Given the loss of Erik Paartalu in the January transfer window, the midfielder has big boots to fill but on the evidence of the excellent performance at Coopers Stadium in a must-win fixture, he may be the tonic John Van’t Schip’s side need. Malik’s qualities as a traditional no. 6 far outweigh Van’t Schip’s use of him as a central defender. Injuries permitting, midfield is where the former Adelaide man will stay.

 

Fitzgerald’s late strike a timely boost for player and club

Few envisaged young excitement machine Nick Fitzgerald of doing anything other than stepping his game up to a new level in the illustrious company of Mooy, Novillo and Fornaroli.

However, Fitzgerald’s raw talent has required the patience of his coach and team-mates, but that persistence paid off with a stunning winner on the 71-minute mark.

Coming at the end of a flowing City move, which involved Fornaroli and lastly, Mooy, the young attacker cut inside of Jordan Elsey and dispatched an unstoppable left-footed effort into the top corner. Galekovic, who was impressive up to and beyond that point, stood no chance.

Fitzgerald’s goal has renewed belief that City can contend for top spot come season’s end, and with three of four remaining A-League matches at AAMI Park, van’t Schip’s squad will truly believe it is an achievable feat, and perhaps they always did, but now the A-League fraternity does too.

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