Marco Kurz’s side has a difficult season ahead after they have lost the likes of veterans Johan Absalonsen, Daniel Adlung, Tarek Elrich, Ersan Gulum and Dzengis Cavusevic.
They have also lost youth talent consisting of the inconsistent Mark Ochieng, the lively Jordan O’Doherty and the solid Benjamin Garruccio. While Marco Kurz has signed the experienced heads, it is important that the youngsters step up.
Having a new Jordan O’Doherty would certainly help.
Predicted formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper: Paul Izzo
Defenders: Michael Marrone, Michael Jakobsen, Jordan Elsey, Craig Goodwin
The backline seems relatively experienced and it may be difficult to break down, especially if Isaias drops back and defends. However, the backline needs to adapt quickly, especially since Goodwin and Jakobsen have just joined the club.
Elsey had a very good year last season and Marrone got his starting XI position back mid 2017/18 season ahead of Ryan Strain.
Midfielders: Nathan Kostandopoulous, Isaias, Mirko Boland
Only Boland is new in the midfield three. He is the ideal replacement for Daniel Adlung, who played quite well last season and also provided support on the scoresheet.
Kurz also seems to favour Nathan Kostandopoulous, the Young Player of the Year for Adelaide. He along numerous other Adelaide United players deserved to be a Young Player of the Year nominee.
Isaias was the player of the season for Adelaide United three times (including last season) and will be wearing the captain’s armband for his second season. His playmaking ability opens up defences and he deserved to be in the team of the year.
(Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
He also goes back and defends and he will probably be on set piece duty after Garuccio departed.
Forwards: Nikola Mileusnic, Ken Ilso, Ryan Kitto
Ken Ilso is a fantastic addition to the squad, but he is actually a natural playmaker, not a striker. He may be playing as a false no. 9 to try and set up Mileusnic or Kitto, if not scoring himself. The latter was the top scorer for Adelaide last season, ahead of George Blackwood and Johan Absalonsen who departed. He has a tendency to go missing in games and was demoted when Absalonsen returned.
Mileusnic regularly featured in Adelaide’s front three last season, but rarely scored. To his credit, he constantly troubled the defence and that’s why Kurz favours him over Kitto.
Substitutes: Daniel Margush, Vince Lia, Taylor Regan, Baba Diawara, Ryan Strain
Margush only featured in the starting lineup for Adelaide when Izzo was absent in the AFC U23 tournament. Has generally been good in goal, but Izzo has edged him for that Starting XI spot.
Vince Lia has just renewed his contract and is a solid choice in midfield. Has plenty of A-League experience with 230 A-League appearances and has played in all of the A-League seasons since it’s origin. He may be hanging up his boots soon as he’s 33 years young.
Taylor Regan is generally a backup in case Jakobsen or Elsey get injured. Not a particularly solid choice, but can get the job done.
Diawara was injured for the minority of last season and managed two goals and two assists in nine games. Kurz prefers him over George Blackwood and that is unlikely to change. He would be given the opportunity to start if Kurz reverts to a 4-4-1-1 formation.
Ryan Strain had a lot of minutes under his belt last season but could be departing mid-season. He is versatile but has fallen out of favour with Marco Kurz after conceding a foul which led to a goal in Round 22.
Reserves: George Blackwood, Lachlan Brook, Kristin Konstandopoulos, Pacifique Niyongabire, Isaac Richards, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos
Blackwood was the third highest goalscorer for Adelaide United last season but he will become a reserve because Kurz favours Diawara, who was injured for the minority of the last season.
New signing Ilso will most likely lead the line for Adelaide, so it is doubtful that Blackwood will get a lot of minutes under his belt. Either he needs to win back the favour of Kurz, the tactics change or Ilso and Diawara get injured.
Isaac Richards didn’t play a minute of last year’s A-League season.
Lachlan Brook, Kristin Konstandopoulos and Pacifique Niyongabire only played in one game, against Sydney FC. Only Brook started. They all play as attacking midfielders and could get a look in if Boland gets injured.
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos was given a look in when Blackwood was in the AFC U23 competition and when Diawara was injured. He scored a vital and late equalizer against Western Sydney but other than that didn’t lead the line very well.
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