Adelaide United face fierce rivals Melbourne Victory in the ‘Original Rivalry’ on Friday night, needing to buck the trend of seven straight away games without a win.
While this is arguably the most tempestuous of interstate rivalries in the A-League, of late it has been a completely one-sided affair. The Reds have been viewed as the whipping boys, winning 10 matches to their opponents’ 19 in 38 league meetings.
The Victory’s dominance over the South Australians, particularly in recent times, can be attributed to Kevin Muscat being at the helm. Muscat, who was much maligned as a player for the unwavering and often unsavoury tactics he would employ, embodies everything that is required to win these type of matches: passion, desire and fortitude.
Having played in this fixture for six years as the Victory captain also helps understand the magnitude of such a clash – for the club, the players and supporters. Muscat’s insatiable appetite for perfection and attention to detail is a large reason he has never tasted defeat against United since taking over the reins from Ange Postecoglou in October 2013. Despite a reputation that precedes him, Muscat is one of the competition’s most astute managers when it comes to the nuances of the game.
But Friday night’s encounter at AAMI Park could prove to be a different story. For the first time in a long time, Adelaide have a genuine chance of overcoming their arch-nemesis. Following a second half comeback win against the Mariners on Sunday, the Reds have surged into third spot, leapfrogging the fifth-placed Victory in the process.
POPULAR ARTICLES
EPL – Player Ratings – Manchester City 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2
How Twitter reacted to Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Manchester City
Copa90 tell the story of Australian football fans fighting the system
FFA announce new banning measures, “flare awareness” campaign
It was unthinkable after the opening eight rounds. Even the most optimistic of Reds fans could not have envisaged such a dramatic turnaround in fortunes. Some spectators were also suggesting Guillermo Amor had to go during the club’s floundering start to the campaign.
But as the old adage goes: football is a funny game. Their previous domestic loss was incidentally a 2-1 setback against Victory at Etihad Stadium on 28 November. Eleven matches later and Adelaide remain unbeaten, amassing 27 points during their unprecedented resurgence.
However, Adelaide cannot afford to get ahead of themselves and let complacency interfere with the enormity of Friday’s blockbuster. After all, a mere point separates the two sides on the table. A cautious approach is a necessity for United, who have not won in Melbourne since a 4-1 trouncing way back in January 2011 and have experienced success on just two other occasions across the border.
Whatever the outcome, it will have several permutations on the league standings. Win and Amor’s men consolidate third spot. Lose and they could plummet back to sixth if the likes of Sydney FC and Melbourne City record triumphs.
Alarmingly for the Reds, since the Spanish influence has reigned supreme over the city of churches in 2013, Adelaide have failed to come up trumps over the Victorians. Josep Gombau could not manage the feat in six attempts and subsequently, Amor thus far remains winless in two league meetings with Muscat’s troops.
In fact, they have not beaten Victory in nine previous encounters (including the FFA Cup) with their most recent coming in a 1-0 home win in February 2013. However, that could finally change and for it to transpire, Adelaide must capitalise on a depleted Melbourne side still seething from Gui Finkler’s disallowed free kick, which would have seen them win the enthralling Melbourne Derby.
Kosta Barbarouses is suspended following the accruement of five yellow cards, while captain Carl Valeri remains absent after being diagnosed with an inflammatory brain condition in December.
For any Victory fans wondering, Broxham not suspended next week. Picked up two yellows v Adelaide, R1, they don’t count for accumulation
— Matt Windley (@MattyHeraldSun) February 13, 2016
Meanwhile, Tarek Elrich returns from suspension for the visitors, which should give licence for Craig Goodwin to revert back to his favoured, more advanced left or right-wing position. Iacopo La Rocca is also an outside chance of featuring, but only if his three-match ban is rescinded on appeal.
If Adelaide are ever going to end their hoodoo against Melbourne, this weekend’s game is a glorious opportunity to do it. The Reds’ current impressive form and the notable Victory absentees from the match signifies a perfect chance to claim bragging rights and further enhance their title tilt following a disastrous beginning to the season.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
