Melbourne Victory play host to fierce rivals and FFA Cup holders Adelaide United in the quarter final at AAMI Park on Tuesday night, with the side progressing arguably the favourite to go on and win the competition.
Dubbed ‘The Original Rivalry’, due to it being one of the first genuine rivalries the league has seen, the old foes resume hostilities in what will be a fascinating prelude to the pair’s next meeting in the first round of the imminent A-League season. The Victory mustered a comprehensive 6-0 rout of New South Wales outfit Balmain Tigers in the round of 32. However, it has not been all smooth sailing for the defending league champions who suffered somewhat of a scare against another Sydney-based side, Rockdale City Suns, before triumphing 3-2 in the following round.
As for Adelaide, a dominant second-half against Northern Territory club Darwin Olympic gave the visitors a comfortable 6-1 win, after a nervy start. United opened the scoring through a Marcelo Carrusca penalty, but found themselves level a minute later when Olympic surprisingly equalised. In its round of 16 clash, Adelaide hosted a youthful, energetic Sydney FC side fielded by boss Graham Arnold, and it ultimately backfired in the short-term, as the Sky Blues were sent packing 2-1 after extra-time by the reigning cup titleholders.
Key Battle – Besart Berisha vs Sergio Cirio
The key to the match could hinge on the form of the aforementioned players. The cup specialist in Cirio against the perennial goal-scorer Berisha has the calibre to make for an exciting game.
Both are the barometers for their respective sides – when they play well the rest of the squad play with confidence. If the Spaniard is given time and space on the wing then he will cause the Victory full-backs plenty of problems. Likewise in the former Brisbane Roar man, whose instinct of knowing where the goal is inside the 18-yard-box is second to none.
Team News
Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat is expected to resort to playing a competitive line-up, akin to what he would select in an A-League match. Carl Valeri will captain the side in his first official game against the Reds, after the club made the announcement last week. Oliver Bozanic may start following his departure from Swiss outfit Luzern, while club icon Archie Thompson could get the nod ahead of Connor Pain.
Melbourne Victory Expected Starting XI: (4-3-3) Vukovic (GK); Geria, Delpierre, Galloway, Georgievski; Valeri, Broxham, Bozanic; Ben Khalfallah, Berisha, Thompson.
Boss Guillermo Amor is yet to taste defeat since taking the helm at Adelaide, after succeeding Josep Gombau, who incidentally never managed to win against the old enemy. Dylan McGowan is projected to partner Osama Malik in the heart of defence, but Mate Dugandzic could have to wait for his chance play from the outset. Bruce Djite, who has netted just one preseason goal is favoured to feature instead of fellow striker Eli Babalj.
Adelaide United Expected Starting XI: (4-3-3) Galekovic (GK); Marrone, McGowan, Malik, Elrich; Isaias, Jeggo, Carrusca; Cirio, Djite, Goodwin.
Previous Meeting
While the Victorians have dominated this fixture in the domestic league, it is the first time the pair have been pitted together in the FFA Cup.
Prediction
Both sides will certainly go for the win, with either manager unlikely to keep their playing cards close to their chests for the subsequent match against each other on October 9th, given what is at stake – a place in the FFA Cup semi-final.
Adelaide are expected to name a strong line-up, while Melbourne are also likely to release a much more potent XI compared to its pervious cup outing. The two contrasting styles, Melbourne’s ruthlessness on the counter, versus Adelaide’s possession-based philosophy should make for compelling viewing, as the league and cup champions face-off in a do-or-die clash. Despite Melbourne’s dominance over the Reds in the A-League, United are the cup specialists and may just edge this one in normal time.
Melbourne Victory 1 Adelaide United 2
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