Despite the Reds showing signs of improvement against the Newcastle Jets in its previous outing, they will need to perform a miracle to have any chance of upsetting the reigning A-League and FFA Cup champions Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.
With the season hanging by a proverbial thread – winless after seven matches – beleaguered United boss Guillermo Amor faces a monumental task against their fiercest adversaries, after being dealt another injury blow in the form of Osama Malik. The odds are certainly stacked against the ex-Barcelona legend and one could be forgiven for thinking he will have to wait another week to secure his first elusive success in the league. Not least because of the Reds’ dismal record against Kevin Muscat’s side, but the mere fact of their perceived invincibility in recent times.
Generally speaking, Adelaide have always been considered largely the underdog against Melbourne in this fixture dubbed ‘The Original Rivalry’. Of the 37 meetings, the Victory have won 18 compared to the Reds’ 10, leaving nine stalemates. However, what also adds extra spice to this riveting contest is of course the two grand final triumphs by the Victory, which came at the expense of their bitter rivals in 2007 and 2009.
While past results should be viewed as irrelevant, due to the negative psychological affects it can cause, it is perhaps weighing somewhat on the players’ minds they have not beaten Melbourne in Victoria since 2011. More pertinently and equally alarmingly is that the South Australians have only once conquered Melbourne at Etihad Stadium dating back to 2006, courtesy of a 1-0 win. Therefore, Adelaide’s dreadful showings interstate, conflated with a horrendous start to its campaign, signifies the Victory are sheer favourites heading into the game.
Amor’s extremely slim chance of instigating the shock of the season is further compounded by the loss of key defender Malik through a hamstring injury he sustained in the first five minutes against the Jets. The 25-year-old will be on the sidelines for at least four weeks as he nurses the tear to his hamstring. But as the clichéd saying claims. as one door closes an opportunity arises and in this case it could be the emergence of youngster Jordan Elsey.
Supporters of the club have seen glimpses of the conspicuous potential Elsey, 21, possesses through the 10 matches he featured in during the 2013-14 season. However, unfortunately a spate of serious injuries have plagued the Para Hills youth product, forcing him to miss the entire 2014-15 campaign. First breaking both his wrists, before rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament last November in training.
He is undoubtedly talented, testament to a consummate defensive performance against Newcastle after replacing Malik and playing over 80 minutes. Although, it was his inaugural appearance in the league in 18 months and Elsey demonstrated aptness and poise in a number of aerial challenges and proficiency to anticipate his opponent’s movements – taking to the field like a duck to water. With Iacopo La Rocca’s comeback from a foot complaint imminent, Amor could take a leap of faith beyond the clash against Melbourne and include Elsey in the starting XI alongside Dylan McGowan, following the duo’s resolute showing in last weekend’s 0-0 draw.
After consecutive subdued displays by 18-year-old midfielder George Mells, the time is right to re-call Marcelo Carrusca into the lineup. Whether the Adelaide coach attempts to send a message to the Argentine sensation worked (due his uncharacteristically below-par form), no one in the squad is technically superior to succeed him in midfield. Not to mention, his omission the previous two weeks has not brought about a change in fortunes. Sure the Argentine has been floundering quite patently this season, considering the lofty standards he has set since moving to the A-League, but he must begin Saturday’s game from the outset. His experience is invaluable in a clash of this magnitude and without Malik, Adelaide need as much pedigree on the park as possible to remain optimistic of a positive outcome.
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Amor will need to take a cautious approach for the match to avoid the prospect of being taught a footballing lesson. His side must put together a resistant defensive plan to curtail the involvement of the likes of Kostas Barbarouses, Besart Berisha, Fahid Ben Khalfallah and Gui Finkler for the hosts. Despite the loss of Malik, last week’s return of captain Eugene Galekovic should serve as some consolation in a game where damage limitation is essential for the Reds to gradually grow in confidence in a distressing season yet to garner three points.
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