As we reached the halfway point of the A-League season at the weekend, Outside90’s Adelaide United correspondent Gianluca Filosi examines how the Reds have fared under Guillermo Amor.
Story so far
Adelaide’s first half of the 2015-16 season can be appropriately summed up as two contrasting halves within a half. The initial part of the campaign was indicative of a side struggling to understand and adapt to new coach Guillermo Amor’s philosophy, following the shock departure of Josep Gombau during the offseason. The transition from Gombau to the incumbent boss was far from seamless as the Reds failed to win a match in their opening eight matches and held up the table, occupying the bottom of the ladder for five weeks.
Their woeful start, coupled with an inability to convert chances with regularity and their disastrous concession of 14 goals spanning four games from rounds three to six saw many believe it was a bridge too far, despite the campaign’s infancy. However, after the horror winless streak, a narrow 1-0 victory over Perth Glory in early December sparked Adelaide into a resurgence and the side has not looked back since – now yet to experience a loss in six consecutive matches.
A dramatic last-gasp 2-1 triumph over a 10-man Sydney FC outfit a week later acted as vindication things were starting to click under Amor’s tutelage. Three straight clean sheets ensued with two scoreless draws against Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers respectively either side of a 3-0 rout of Wellington Phoenix on Boxing Day. And more recently, the club secured its inaugural away win of the season with a 3-1 defeat of the Glory. The prosperous vein of form has also corresponded with a climb up the standings, now lying inside the top six and in finals contention.
The manager
When Amor superseded the outgoing Gombau, the manager needed time to implement his tweaked philosophy on his players. Although the changeover of coaches took a little longer than expected, the fact that it was the Spaniard’s first senior managerial role is a mitigating factor behind the club’s uninspiring beginning. Belief in the playing group remained high irrespective of the performances as it knew one win was all that was required to revive its underwhelming year. The players are subsequently reaping the rewards of staying unflappable in an ominous situation.
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Along the way, the Barcelona legend had to make a couple of major decisions amid increasing pressure to alter the fortunes of the team. Argentine sensation Marcelo Carrusca was surprisingly dropped for three games in favour of youngster George Mells, despite his admittedly below-par showings. But it has certainly paid dividends and provided the star midfielder extra motivation to work even harder on the training ground. Entrusting his faith with precocious talent Jordan Elsey has also been a large success for Amor and the squad – forming a resolute partnership with Dylan McGowan in central defence.
Standout player
It is no coincidence Carrusca’s return to the starting XI and form has coincided with the Reds’ renaissance, racking up three goals and a handful of assists in the process and why he is the standout player so far. Incorrect speculation insinuating a falling out between player and manager was swiftly denied and like any true professional he trained tirelessly to justify his selection in the lineup. Elsey is also a worthy candidate for best footballer and deserves all the plaudits for illustrating composure beyond his years for a 21-year-old.
Though the Argentine just pips the youngster, who can be attributed to Adelaide’s enhanced fluidity in attack as well, due to his aptness in picking the perfect pass and identifying spaces in opposition defences that seemingly do not exist. If he continues delivering on a consistent basis then the swashbuckling midfielder has a genuine opportunity of featuring in the A-League Team of the Season and potentially guide the Reds to what appeared a fading play-off spot two months ago.
Second-half prediction
Adelaide have a real opportunity of capitalising on a kind run of fixtures to consolidate their status in the top six. Three home matches in the next four weeks means there is every chance they could hypothetically rise to fourth if pending results go their way.
With the club hit by a host of injuries in the early half of the season it will be hoping the likes of Iacopo La Rocca, Osama Malik, Eli Babalj and Bruce Kamau can remain healthy to offer competition for places and ensures complacency does not creep in. However, if United secure qualification to the Asian Champions League in late February it could have a detrimental impact on their league credentials. Nevertheless, the side is playing with enough verve and confidence and has the necessary ilk to at least attain a finals berth.
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