Adelaide United hosted Melbourne Victory on Friday night in a match that always stirs the passions of the fans. In an electric atmosphere, the hosts defeated the Victory 1-0 through an opportunistic Sergio van Dijk goal. Here is what I learnt.
Melbourne Victory
1. What a difference a week makes
Compare the reaction after last week’s game against Sydney to this week. The reaction after this week’s game on twittersphere was extraordinary after this game.
Apparently, Mehmet Durakovic should be sacked, Carlos Hernandez shouldn’t start ever again and Harry Kewell is a waste of money. My belief is that a side with plenty of attacking options is going to take time to adjust.
This side needs to figure out what is the best set-up, and fast. It is going to take time, just not sure how much time there is for the Victory to do so.
2. The defence is thin
Here is the Victory’s defensive stocks available for this week’s Melbourne derby: Vargas, Fabio, Foschini, Franjic, Ferreira and Broxham with the last two names there midfielders more than backs. A little thin, isn’t it?
Adrian Leijer, as captain, should have known better than to get himself sent off. His suspension leaves a gaping hole in defence, one I’m not sure how will be plugged.
3. Might be time to change shape
The last two games have seen the Victory start in a 4-2-3-1. Against Adelaide, Kewell started as the lone striker with Carlos Hernandez in the hole.
It might be time for Archie Thompson and Kewell to start together up the front. Harry was isolated alone starting as the lone striker and Archie wasn’t at all effective out wide.
I’d suggest a 4-1-3-2, with Kewell and Archie up the front, Rojas and Cernak on the wings, Hernandez in behind and Brebner screening.
4. Durakovic needs to use his subs better
A few curious decisions from Mehm on the sidelines against Adelaide. I agreed with Solorzano on for Thompson (who struggled), but taking off Rojas (who was clearly the best player for the Victory) was questionable.
5. Try Isaka Cernak at defensive midfield
Cernak is a player that works hard, can tackle and win possession. Mehm could do worse than placing ‘Izzy’ as a holding mid, possibly next to Grant Brebner or even in place of the feisty Scot.
Final point: There should be no panicking from the Victory now. Things are going to take time, and I’m confident that the problems they have at the moment will be sorted out.
Adelaide United
1.What a difference a week makes
United were very poor against the Glory away the week before. The Adelaide team that played the Victory looked a markedly different team to the one that played in Perth and in a much better way
2. Dario Vidosic will have a big season
Vidosic wasn’t quite ready for his sides trip to Perth the other week, but he was the key for Adelaide against the Victory.
Starting behind van Dijk in a 4-2-3-1, Vidosic looked in good touch and was probably man of the match. Against Perth, United looked like they were missing a quality touch in the midfield and now they have got it in Vidosic.
He will form a great partnership with van Dijk.
3. Susak and McKain are rock solid
The new Adelaide defensive pairing are quality pick-ups for Adelaide. Milan Susak, ex-Brisbane defender, put in a very strong performance against the Victory, possibly man of the match.
Experienced defender and captain Jon McKain also gave nothing away. I get the feeling that this central pairing will be hard to get through.
4. Sergio van Dijk will be a goal machine again
Last year’s golden boot winner pounced on a very poor backpass from Victory defender Fabio to fire a shot past keeper Ante Covic to, as it would turn out, win the game for United.
Van Dijk has a lot of ways in which he can score goals. Whether on his bald head, a rifle of a free kick (witness his free kick against the Victory last season) or pouncing in the box, van Dijk will be a key to how far United go this season.
5. Fortress Hindmarsh
I can’t see Adelaide dropping too many points at their home ground. They love playing there.
Victory players looked a little intimidated by the hostile atmosphere the fans produced, just look at Ante Covic’s (almost costly) blunder in front of the Adelaide fans behind goal.
I’ll back the Reds to win at Hindmarsh almost 100% of the time.
Final thoughts: Their performance against Perth was an abberation. With Vidosic in, the side looks settled. They are set for a big season.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Nice article, Katie. Keep them coming!
jmac
Guest
I hope one day that on this, I'll agree with you! I'd love to see them together in a functioning team. I just think that first, H needs to be fitter, and carlos needs to further move towards being a player who will do something when not in possession. otherwise I think the DM would be too exposed.. a crime for which mehm's predecessor was shown the door, let's remember.. but I'm loving this debate. let's hope this embarrassment of attacking riches turns out to be the boon for the club that it should be :)
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
thanks for that :)
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
@jmac thanks mate I appreciate that :) I really hope it doesn't come down to Harry v Carlos for a spot in the XI...I'm sure they can fit together somehow, in the 4-1-3-2 i mentioned in the article
jmac
Guest
by the way, I forgot to say katie, I've been enjoying your articles - nice work..
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Dare to dream, Axelv - let's show this A-League how our Dream Team can really play football! Then, the non-MVFC brigade will really have something to hate us for :-)
Axelv
Guest
point taken, but we aren't Barcelona ;) Our team would get thrashed and have no defensive capability without a second holding midfielder.
Midfielder
Guest
Katie Sorry for the topic changing ... BTW have enjoyed the posts and your article... I started a thread on the MV fans Forum pertaining to TV ratings... Its interesting and I post here because its the only football article running today... on page two its gets very interesting... Fuss, Q, and others Katie of course I think you may find it interesting... http://www.melbournevictory.net/forum/showthread.php?59405-Ratings
jmac
Guest
basically, I think mehm got it pretty right against sydney, then stuffed it up in order to fit carlos in the team. understandable, that, given the quality of hernandez. but I think it's clear he has to make a decision on harry v carlos. neither player gives enough in terms of defending high, and to have them both on the field is a liability in this sense. in an attacking sense, one should be enough centrally - if Mehm continues to play with width via Rojas and Archie. no cause for panic in the back half - apart from having a thin squad.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
When? I'd say every week when with the lads at the Nou Camp but the highest profile football match this season had the winners playing with 1 DM only. 2011 UCL final: Barcelona 3 -1 Man United (Wembley) Bacelona's starting XI -------------------Valdes----------- Alves---Mascherano----Pique---Abidal ------------------Busquets----------- ---Iniesta----------------------Xavi---------- Villa---------Messi---------------Pedro
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
That's how football should be played in my opinion. It was Guus's philosophy when in charge of our NT and it is also Pep's imperative at Barca. Pretty sure Ange has also issued that edict to his players. In relation to "gaps" in the midfield - there shouldn't be any. If a team is disciplined it keeps a tight control over "the lines". Some analyst mentioned that he noticed Brisbane now tries to play a very disciplined off-side that has the final defender almost on the half-way line when Brisbane has the ball. Again, when I watch Brisbane I don't see any players running around like headless chooks. The running is constant, measured and intelligent.
TomC
Guest
I'm afraid I disagree with pressing the opposition high, Fussball. We would leave too much space in the midfield for the other team to work in. Plus the forwards would tire quickly. It may be a workable strategy if we drop Carlos, and Kewell gets a bit fitter. I'm afraid we just don't have the smart footballers who can win possession in the way you suggest, at least not in the back half. Celeski in 08/09 was that kind of player, but unfortunately not any more.
Victree
Guest
Harry fluffed a chance, Leijer miss kicked when Harry chested a ball down for him in the 6 yard box, Carlos had a shot that just went over, Solo almost one on one didn't shoot early enough. We had some clear cut chances. Aside from Covic's great save in the first half, Adelaide's chances came once Leijer was sent off. Like I said, it was always going to be hard coming back when your best def gets carded but we nearly pinched it. I'm not going to worry on one poor performance two games in. PS: Injuries and the youngest squad in the league is what gave us such a poor first season.
Victree
Guest
Stuff it lets go for; covic foschini, franjic, vargas, fabio rojas, carlos, harry, cernak arch, solorzano we win 8-4!
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@ TomC That should not be req'd if we are disciplined and playing that tactic well. The tactic is about winning the ball back as soon as it is lost. So, we need our strikers and AM to press immediately - high in the opposition defense - harassing the opponent with the ball and cutting off the obvious passing options. For me, it's about having a good football brain on the park - rather than a good engine. The smart footballer doesn't need to run around like a greyhound to win back possession; he sizes up the potential passes and covers the angles.
Axelv
Guest
1 defensive midfielder? you're dreaming! When has 1 defensive midfielder ever been deployed? Except at Real Madrid a few years ago when they were conceding 5 goals a game? Their back 4 were left entirely to their own much of the time.
TomC
Guest
Fussball, I think the critical part of your number one point is that we would need our attacking players to spend more time dropping back and helping out the defenders, and playing the ball around in the middle of the pitch. The problem is that, in a perfect world, Kewell, Rojas, Hernandez, Solorzano and Archie would each be getting the ball around the box where they can do some damage, not further up the pitch.
TomC
Guest
Hmm. If MVFC can't get it together in the first half of the season, I don't know why they'd find it better in the second half. I'm beginning to have serious concerns about Durakovic, as well. I was comfortable with his appointment after a creditable performance in the ACL, but nothing I've seen so far suggests he has a particularly good strategy for getting the most out of this team.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
I'm with Katie - I want us to play 4-1-3-2 --------------------Covic Cernak---Franjic--Vargas (Leijer)---Fabio -------------Brebs/Ferreira Rojas ----------Carlos-----------H ---------Archie----------Solorzano However, there are 2 provisos for playing this team: 1. We need players to work hard when the DON'T have the ball and try to win it back within 5 second 2. We need players to be UNSELFISH and pass the ball rather than try to dribble past 2-3 opponents - yes, I'm talking to you: Rojas, Archie, Solorzano & Cernak! IF we implement the above 2 instructions that team will be unbeatable in the HAL. But, it's a big "IF" and we haven't yet managed to follow either instruction over the past 180 minutes.
TomC
Guest
I've been pretty happy with both Foschini and Fabio, apart from the obvious couple of mistakes by the Brazilian. Foschini may be more comfortable pushing forward on the right if we could rely on the midfield to hold the ball for any length of time.