Our series of 2015-16 A-League team previews begins with a potential title contender in Adelaide United.
Offseason transfers
The Reds had a busy offseason, akin to that of a revolving door with both a number of new arrivals and departures occurring over the break. In terms of player personnel, United’s best piece of business was arguably the loan signing of Eli Babalj from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. The 23-year-old is hoping to rejuvenate his stuttering career at the Reds and will compete for a place with incumbent striker Bruce Djite. Other acquisitions involved Iacopo La Rocca joining from Western Sydney Wanderers, while Mate Dugandzic was procured after Melbourne City released the winger. A rather unknown to many fans was the addition of young midfielder George Mells, who arrives from Southampton’s youth team.
Adelaide also said goodbye to fan favourite Awer Mabil, who chose to leave in a bid to enhance his career in Europe with Danish outfit FC Midtjylland. Nigel Boogaard has returned to his hometown to ply his trade with the Newcastle Jets, while utility Cameron Watson also joins at the Hunter Stadium. Miguel Palanca returned to Spain after his loan spell ended and gloveman Paul Izzo moved to the Central Coast Mariners as he searches for more first team opportunities.
Last season
The 2014-15 season can be viewed as largely a success, given the Reds finished third in the league and won the inaugural FFA Cup against Perth Glory, ending an eight-year trophy drought. However, it could also be seen as a year of unfulfilled potential and missed opportunities, as the squad had the ingredients necessary to make a genuine push for the title. After starting the season in promising fashion, undefeated in the first seven games consistency eluded the South Australians. This was highlighted by a 7-0 home trouncing of the Jets in January, but succumbing the following week to a poor Mariners outfit 2-1.
Josep Gombau’s side was expected to make significant improvements on the previous campaign, as the team had another preseason to adapt to the possession-based philosophy instilled by the Spanish tactician. Ambitions of a top two finish quickly diminished though, thanks to consecutive setbacks against Brisbane and Western Sydney in the final rounds of the campaign. Despite a resilient performance in the elimination final against the Roar a week earlier, their year abruptly culminated in a disastrous 4-1 loss to eventual runners-up Sydney FC.
Manager
Perhaps the biggest blow and surprise during the winter months was the unexpected parting of coach Josep Gombau, who decided to leave the club due to family reasons in late July. Barcelona legend and former Adelaide technical director Guillermo Amor replaced the adored boss, who has a more subdued temperament on the sidelines compared to his predecessor. Although the 47-year-old has little managerial experience at the senior level, Amor’s admirable pedigree, which boasts five La Liga titles, one Champions League medal and four domestic cups as a player, indicates he knows what it takes to win trophies. Amor will implement virtually the same playing style as Gombau, the two sharing similar tactics as they came straight out of the Blaugrana mould. A 4-3-3 formation will be the preferred system employed by the ex-Fiorentina man.
READ MORE: Predicting the Adelaide United starting XI for 2015-16
Two midfielders, most likely Marcelo Carrusca and James Jeggo will play slightly advanced of the holding-midfielder Isaias and the Spaniard will also desire his full-backs looking to venture forward. Dylan McGowan will partner Osama Malik in the heart of defence, but who exactly features in the attacking trio remains a mystery. Sergio Cirio is a sure certainty and possibly Craig Goodwin, but the former is more effective from the left-flank, while the latter solely figures on the wing when not occupying the left-back role. This connotes a clear conundrum, which will have to be addressed before the new season begins against the Melbourne Victory. Goodwin may have to be shifted to the right, in order to accommodate Cirio in his more imposing position as a left-forward. However, one of the major issues for Adelaide in recent years has been its failure to find a genuine, clinical number nine and Amor will be desperate for new loan signing Babalj to show the form that saw him turn heads when he was wearing a Melbourne Heart shirt a few years ago. Bruce Djite will also be competing for a starting berth as United’s target man.
Strengths
The Reds have the ability to keep possession of the ball for large periods of a match and have been better defensively in the past year. Isaias and Jeggo are brilliant in applying pressure and closing down their opponents, while Argentine playmaker Carrusca remains the key to linking the midfield to attack. Tarek Elrich provides excellent pace and dynamism down the flanks and Malik’s composure on the ball remains imperious.
Weaknesses
One of the glaring deficiencies of United, is there incapacity to kill teams off. Adelaide tend to waste numerous goalscoring chances, which comes back to haunt them. Since the departure of Sergio van Dijk in 2013, the Reds have never adequately replaced their former talisman, which has contributed to the team’s struggles in competing with the likes of the Victory and the Sky Blues.
Key player – Marcelo Carrusca
Although Carrusca is now 32, he still remains United’s supreme threat to opposing A-League franchises. It has been noted many a time that the squad’s chances of winning games are extremely slim when the Argentine sensation is absent, illustrating just how much the Reds rely on the former Galatasaray midfielder. While now perceived as a veteran, if Carrusca can stay injury free for the bulk of the season it will significantly increase their aspirations of enduring a successful year.
Best XI
Prediction
While the similarities in philosophy should, in theory bode well for a seamless transition in Amor taking the reins from Gombau, the Reds could struggle under the new boss. Amor is inexpewrienced from a managerial sense, but in saying that he will be able to impart his plethora of knowledge to his players. Additionally, now with a permanent training base, after years of instability and frequently travelling to different venues for training it could have a positive affect from a recovery perspective. Ultimately though, one feels that Adelaide has not sufficiently strengthened on the existing foundations laid by Gombau to compete with title candidates Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC, as well as the diligent recruitment by Melbourne City and the Wanderers during the hiatus. A fourth or fifth place finish is expected, given the coaching change over the winter.
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