After nine games unbeaten, Adelaide United have rediscovered the impressive performances that defined Josep Gombau’s tenure, albeit using a more refined approach.
Guillermo Amor’s knowledge and experience encouraged a discerning exploration of Gombau’s match-day methods, and, despite some teething problems, has produced a more flexible and complete Adelaide.
However United’s recent rise up the table has been aided by six games against sides positioned below them. With a difficult run home – six of Adelaide’s final nine games are away from home, and six are against higher opposition – the Reds must consistently trouble the teams casting a shadow over their purple patch.
Friday’s home clash with Sydney FC teases this opportunity, and Graham Arnold is surely eager for his stuttering Sky Blues to spoil the party.
Following Friday’s fixture, the Reds have four days to prepare for their AFC Champions League play-off against Shandong Luneng, before facing the Mariners and Victory on foreign terrain.
Arnold will be encouraged by his team’s last visit to Coopers Stadium, where Sydney dominated the opening stanza before Alex Gersbach was dismissed for a horrendous challenge.
Jimmy Jeggo felt the full weight of that challenge, but made the most of his sustained fitness by leading the Reds to a 2-1 victory in his best performance in a red shirt.
Not only did he put the Reds 1-0 up with a terrific half-volley, but showed persistence with his tackling and commitment to each contest. Had Jeggo completed a move to Austrian club Sturm Graz – where he recently signed – when they initially declared an interest, Adelaide would have once again been embarrassed by inferior opposition on home turf.
Last week against Newcastle Jets, Adelaide sorely missed Jeggo’s input. And while Isaias stepped up, he cannot be expected to single-handedly dominate the midfield each week.
In coming high-intensity fixtures against quality opposition, the Reds must express a certain level of physicality to prevail, especially now they are hunted as the league’s form team.
Jeggo was not the most gifted player to grace the A-League, but his robust resilience, combined with the tactical wit and incisiveness of Isaias, made it possible for the likes of Marcelo Carrusca to express their creativity.
As for Jeggo’s replacement, 18-year-old midfielder George Mells appears to be Amor’s preferred option, but new signing Stefan Mauk may change that, although he too is only 20. Mells has shown he is a capable passer, but he regularly goes missing mid-game, leaving Isaias to pick up the slack. If Sunday’s 1-0 win is anything to go by, Mells is in for a tough time against a strong Sydney midfield headlined by Mickael Tavares.
After Jordan Elsey’s uninspiring performance at right back last weekend, Amor does have a plausible reshuffle at his disposal. Elsey starred at centre back alongside Dylan McGowan until he was forced out by suspension, replaced by the class and experience of Iacopo La Rocca.
Michael Marrone is almost certain to regain his place at right back after he served a one-match suspension. But Elsey may have the chance to recapture his early form at centre back if Amor chooses to push La Rocca into the midfield alongside Isaias. This would not only bolster the void left by Jeggo, but also give La Rocca the opportunity to evoke his man-of-the-match display as holding midfielder for Western Sydney Wanderers in the 2014 A-League grand final.
Amor is sure to make at least one change for Friday’s match, but whether he reorganises his structure remains unclear. History suggests Amor will have great confidence welcoming Arnold’s men on Friday evening, as Sydney have not won an A-League match in Adelaide since February 2012, with United having won five of their last seven A-League matches against the Sky Blues.
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