With former Western Sydney Wanderer Iacopo La Rocca officially joining Adelaide United on a two-year deal on Saturday, Outside90’s Gianluca Filosi examines what the midfield enforcer will offer Josep Gombau’s side.
It is fair to say the signing of Iacopo La Rocca from the Wanderers came as somewhat of a surprise to many fans, but after closely analysing the Reds’ decision to acquire the Italian it makes a lot of sense. La Rocca began his career playing in the fourth tier of Italian football, representing clubs such as Pro Vercelli and Fermana in the Serie D, before moving to Switzerland and plying his trade for AC Bellinzona and Grasshopper.
In 2012, the former La Rocca went off to seek pastures new and joined the newly formed A-League franchise in the Western Sydney Wanderers, enjoying a considerable amount of success along the journey. However, his spell with the New South Wales outfit culminated at the end of the previous campaign, after coach Tony Popovic deemed the midfielder-turned-defender surplus to requirements – releasing La Rocca where he amassed a total of 77 appearances during his three-year stay with the Red and Black.
But following United’s capture of the unwavering footballer, what exactly would La Rocca bring to Adelaide’s table? The Italian does not particularly fit the temperament of a typical ball player akin to Gombau’s philosophy, given the once-WSW man is known for his tenacity and no-nonsense approach. Perhaps that is an area the Adelaide hierarchy and management perceived as a weakness and what separated them from the likes of Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC in the race for the league title.
Nevertheless, La Rocca, firstly, brings an abundance of experience, which is essential in any team aspiring to lift an elusive A-League championship. The 31-year-old is also a natural winner and will do anything on the football field (even outside the rules) to try and beat his opponent. Boss Gombau will be hoping that one of La Rocca’s key attributes in boasting a winning mentality will rub onto the rest of the squad. The combative midfielder was an instrumental player during Western Sydney’s historic Asian Champions League Final triumph last year as well as lifting the domestic minor premiership in 2013.
While the defensive midfielder will provide experience, it is his versatility which arguably caught the eye of the Spanish tactician most. During the unveiling of Adelaide’s latest signing, Gombau intimated the player is capable of performing multiple roles, suggesting he will be looking to the Italian’s adaptability to improve on last season.
La Rocca’s natural playing position is of course as a centre-midfielder, acting as a screen in front of the back four and curtailing the attacking midfielder’s involvement in opposing teams. In saying this, he is also an apt centre-back when called upon, who is able to read the game exceptionally well – a testament of his time spent marshalling the centre of the park.
“Iacopo is a player who has extensive experience both here and internationally. He’s a proven winner and can also play in different positions,” Gombau said.
“He brings a different dimension to our squad, which is something we were looking for.”
This different dimension Gombau has alluded to could imply fans are likely to see La Rocca deployed as a central-defender to replace the outgoing Nigel Boogaard. At the Wanderers, the ex-Grasshopper man was used as a makeshift centre-back and that is a realistic possibility at the Reds, given United’s holding midfielder is Isaias. The fact that he is known for his expansive work-rate and employing warrior-like tactics on the field is a contrast from Adelaide’s gracious ball players such as Marcelo Carrusca and Isaias and this appears a benefit rather than a hindrance to the squad.
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However, that is not to say La Rocca is not an effective ball player. In the 2014-15 A-League season, the Italian’s average passing accuracy was 78%. Therefore, it will come as little surprise if Gombau does decide to partner his new procurement next to Osama Malik in the heart of the defence, with the former Barcelona youth coach preferring to have ball-playing centre-backs in his starting XI that are confident in possession.
Wherever Gombau chooses to utilise La Rocca he will certainly be a valuable asset for the Reds in its quest to win an inaugural A-League championship. Despite the move coming somewhat out of left field, it could just be one of the shrewdest pieces of business this offseason and may be the missing piece in Adelaide United’s puzzle.
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