05 Oct Football Nation Season Preview: Adelaide United

Overview:

It was one of the biggest drops in A-League history, the perennial champions from two seasons ago Adelaide United, to finishing second last this past season.

Losing Finals heroes Stefan Mauk, Bruce Djite and Bruce Kamau didn’t help The Reds during pre-season. United relied too much on their youngsters in Jesse Makarounas, Ben Garrucio, Marc Marino and Riley McGree to get them through matches when experienced players struggled to find their footing.

Henrique’s stint at United last season was brief, managing 14 appearances before joining Thai side Chiangrai United in the January transfer window.

They dropped in the first round of the FFA Cup to NPL Queensland side Redlands United FC, which was called the biggest upset in FFA Cup history up to that point.

United were winless in their first 9 outings, with the first win coming against Wellington Phoenix at home in December, they did have back to back wins towards the latter part of the season against Brisbane and Central Coast. Unfortunately, the reds bottomed out finishing second last, and coach Guillermo Amor left the club amid frustration and lack of success.

Ins and Outs:

INS: Marco Kurz (Manager), Paul Izzo, George Blackwood, Ersan Gulum, Johan Absalonsen, Vince Lia, Karim Matmour, Daniel Adlung

OUTS: Gui Amor (Manager), Dylan McGowan, Sergio Cirio, George Mells, Jesse Makarounas, John Hall, Eugene Galekovic, Kim Jae-Sung, Riley McGree, Marc Marino, Marcelo Carrusca, Iacopo La Rocca and Eli Babalj

Adelaide United unveiled Marco Kurz as the new manager on the 16^th June, and already the German has swung the axe with majority of last season’s team being released from their contracts, as he turns over the depleted list The Reds had last season.

Turkish Centre Back Ersan Gulum is the key to Marco Kurz’s rebuild at Adelaide, and was on Chinese Super League’s Hebei China Fortune squad, and has plenty of European experience playing with Besiktas in the Turkish League not too long ago.

Former Sydney F.C player George Blackwood will also don The Red this season, as he looks to get first team football after being released from Sydney FC and playing behind key forward Bobo.

Some positives for Adelaide United comes some massive outs, with three of their key players headed to Victoria to play for Melbourne City.

The exodus started with the news captain Eugene Galekovic had accepted an offer to join Melbourne City on a two-year deal, and the prospects of being City’s number 1 string keeper for the upcoming season.

Marcelo Carrusca and Iacopo La Rocca became the fourth and fifth Adelaide players from the 2016 Grand Final to join Melbourne City, as the Reds lose some of their experience players.

Prediction:

Adelaide United are in a precarious predicament with how they set up their best 11 for the upcoming season, it has been a tumultuous two years at the City of Churches since their 2016 Grand Final win against the Wanderers.

Marco Kurz has a completely different lineup, and as the rebuild begins the one thing I want to see from Adelaide United this season is them mounting respect back after some shocking matches against Brisbane Roar, Sydney FC and Perth Glory, and it will be good to see Kurz blood that German style of football into the Adelaide United lineup.

Adelaide won’t get too far up the ladder, or win many matches again in the upcoming season. They will improve in all basis, and will win maybe 6 or 7 games this season but unfortunately for Reds fans will finish in the same position as last season.

2017/18 Prediction: 9^th