Melbourne Victory kicked off their title defence with a 0-0 draw against Adelaide United after they were reduced to 10 men with Leigh Broxham’s sending off.
A leading elbow from Broxham into the back of Isaias’ head was deemed to be the Victory captain’s second bookable offence for the night and the away side played out the final 20 minutes of the match down a man.
Victory did look as if they had taken the lead just before the hour mark when Besart Berisha played a through ball to Kosta Barbarouses.
WATCH: Fan Reaction [VIDEO] – Adelaide United 0 Melbourne Victory 0
The Kiwi international was in one-on-one with goalkeeper John Hall and slotted the ball into the back of the net but the goal was disallowed as he was correctly adjudged to have been offside.
In a typically fiery match, a plethora of niggles, bumps and challenges made a red card seemingly inevitable. However, chances on goal did not come as frequently.
Adelaide United failed to utilise their numerical advantage, unable to get past the Victory defence – Danny Vukovic denying Sergio Cirio in the 92nd minute of injury time with a great save.
Up until the red card Victory looked the more likely to score. However, a combination of solid defence from Adelaide, with Osama Malik making a crucial tackle in the 60th minute to deny Berisha and inaccurate shooting from the Victory meant both sides had to settle for a point.
Formations
Adelaide United XI (4-3-3)
The Reds were forced into changes with first-choice goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic and left-back Tarek Elrich away on international duty with the Socceroos. Off-season signings Eli Babalj and Mate Dugandzic were playing their first A-League matches for United, while John Hall got his first competitive start between the sticks in place of Galekovic.
Melbourne Victory XI (4-3-3)
Victory were also without a host of young stars with Scott Galloway, Connor Pain, Jason Geria and Giancarlo Gallifuoco all on national team duties. Captain Carl Valeri picked up a knock in training and Rashid Mahazi replaced him in that defensive midfield role.
Everyone was off target
Dubbed the original rivalry, games between Victory and Adelaide can usually guarantee two things – lots of fouls and lots of goals. While the former was present, with 22 fouls in the first half alone, neither side was able to create many meaningful chances in front of goal.
With two of the most potent attacking lineups, including some of the best ball providers in the league, goals should have been a lot easier to come by. In fact, this fixture has been a goal fest of late with a combined 18 goals in the previous four meetings.
It is interesting to note the difference in where the majority of shots were taken by the two teams as shown by the passing maps above.
Seven of Adelaide’s shots came from outside the 18-yard-box, with the remaining three on the edge of, or just inside the box. In comparison, seven of Victory’s chances came from inside the box with the other four coming from well outside the area.
Victory were seemingly able to break through Adelaide’s defence more easily but could not finish in front of goal, while the Reds were reduced to trying for more long range efforts.
Berisha’s United hoodoo
Besart Berisha is not someone who struggles to terrorise defences and test goalkeepers. However, the Albanian has had a torrid time inserting himself into games against Adelaide United since he has been playing for the Victory.
Besart Berisha struggled against @AdelaideUnited last season. He'll be hoping for better tonight! #ADLvMVC pic.twitter.com/B9bPqR51ou
— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) October 9, 2015
As the statistic above shows, his influence has not simply been reduced but taken out entirely against the Reds. During Friday’s game Berisha marginally improved on that record, registering three shots off target and a blocked shot.
Berisha will be looking to get back to his best against Melbourne City at Etihad Stadium next week – a fixture he thoroughly enjoyed scoring in last season.
Bozanic bossing the midfield
Oliver Bozanic’s first A-League match for the Victory was quite successful. Although Victory were unable to get on the scoresheet, Bozanic was a consistent positive influence in the centre of the park.
Of Victory’s 11 shots on goal, Bozanic played a role somewhere along the line of passing in six of them.
He impressed once again in central midfield, providing Victory with a constant outlet to transition from defence to attack and got to show off his classy skills which Victory fans will undoubtedly look forward to seeing more of as the season progresses.
skills dat kills pic.twitter.com/BRUh7Jib4A
— Stefan (@SPGDF) October 9, 2015
Makeshift defences
Both teams had to accommodate for defensive losses, both prior to and during the game. Adelaide were without Galekovic and Elrich, who were on Socceroos duty while Victory lost three young defenders to the Olyroos, as well as being without Nick Ansell who is still injured and losing Leigh Broxham deep into the match after his sending off.
Despite these forced changes, both teams defended relatively well. Galekovic’s understudy John Hall stood up to the Victory’s attackers time and time again, making some fantastic saves. Thomas Deng, who came on as defensive cover once Broxham was sent off for his competitive A-league debut, was outstanding beside Matthieu Delpierre, with the young centre-back doing his job for the small amount of time he was on the park.
Adelaide United conclusion
United will be disappointed they could not utilise their numerical advantage in the latter stages of the game to sneak away with the three points. Adelaide will be enhanced by the return of Elrich and Galekovic, as well as Bruce Djite up forward. The Reds host the Wanderers next round, who went down 3-1 to Brisbane Roar in their opening round clash, meaning both teams will be hungry for that first win of the season.
Melbourne Victory conclusion
Considering Broxham’s sending off Victory will be content with picking up a point on the road. They will be frustrated that they didn’t get on the board despite having the better chances of the match. With a big derby clash coming up next week, Victory will be disappointed to have lost Broxham and will be hoping Ansell returns to full fitness, but have a more than capable replacement in Thomas Deng.
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