Preseason Matches & Lineup Speculation

[Old Gregg]

It's probably a good thing to play several games against local opposition at this stage, then step it up next month in Indonesia v teams that are at the same sort of level as us, leading into the A-League season.

[Old Gregg]

Adelaide United crushes Birkalla 8-1 in pre-season friendly
VAL MIGLIACCIO THE ADVERTISER AUGUST 13, 2013 9:04PM

Former Melbourne Victory midfielder Theo Markelis managed to get some game time for Adelaide United in the pre-season friendly against Birkalla. Picture: Robert Prezioso/Getty Images. Source: Supplied



ADELAIDE United belted Birkalla 8-1 at Coopers Stadium behind closed doors on Tuesday night.

Adelaide has now scored 22 goals and conceded a goal a game in four friendly clashes against premier league opposition.

The Reds even had time to parade former on-trial Melbourne Victory midfielder Theo Markelis and a bench laden with AIS prodigies.

Markelis, 21, who was recently released by Victory got his chance to shine in the 35th minute when he replaced winger Sergio Cirio when Adelaide was leading 5-0.

But that scoreline somewhat flattered the Reds in the first half.

Adelaide was very impressive offensively with an irresistible forward crew comprising Dario Vidosic, Cirio, Jeronimo Neumann, Marcelo Carrusca and Bruce Djite.

The quintet's clever movement and one-touch football exploited massive gaps in Birkalla's formation.

Djite scored the opener after 11 minutes when he deflected a header into the back of the net from a Neumann cross with his back towards goal.

Djite made it 2-0, finding a metre of space outside the box before unleashing a brilliant 20m daisy cutter into the corner of the net.

Cirio found his goalscoring range when he met a tantalising cross from left winger Neumann before the Argentine struck twice within 90 seconds

Neumann's first goal was a 20m cannon which ricocheted off the post before settling in the back of the net.

His second was created by Vidosic when the Socceroo crept inside the box before delivering a cunning cut back.

Birkalla, however, did expose flaws in Adelaide's defensive make up without troubling skipper Eugene Galekovic.

Scott Nagel, Ryan Kitto and David Scalamera continually found gaps centrally throughout the first half but Birkalla was unable to pull the trigger to finish off any of the fine moves.

Adelaide coach Josep Gombau then made seven changes at the break.

Only Jake-Barker Daish, Djite, Markelis and McKain survived the start of the second half.

Antony Golec and Nigel Boogaard assumed central defence duties while McKain was pushed up into the holder's role.

Galekovic was given the rest of the night off and replaced by youth team keeper John Hall.

AIS youngster Dylan Smith, who was the substitute, pumped his fist in the air when he nailed Adelaide's sixth goal five minutes after half-time from an acute angle.

Birkalla's Nathan Munro then spurned a golden opportunity in the 57th minute when he intercepted a loose pass but missed the target with only Hall to beat.

Smith again pumped his fist when he scored his second goal by cleverly smacking a Bright Appiah cut back home from 8m.

Birkalla and Nagel were eventually rewarded for attacking the Reds in the 60th minute when he latched onto a cross to beat Hall at the near post.

Markelis was then unlucky not to score Adelaide's eighth goal when he cracked the ball onto the post in the 64th minute.

But just seconds later Markelis handed Djite his hat-trick and Adelaide's eighth goal on a platter.

Adelaide now faces Western Strikers in another friendly at Coopers Stadium behind closed doors on Monday night.

THE LINE-UPS:

Adelaide United starting XI: 1. Eugene Galekovic, 4. Jon McKain, 8. Marcelo Carrusca, 10. Dario Vidosic, 11. Bruce Djite, 14. Cam Watson, 16. Daniel Bowles, 17. Sergio Cirio, 21. Jeronimo Neumann, 23. Tarek Elrich, 25. Jordan Elsey Subs: 2. Bright Appiah, 3. Nigel Boogaard, 5. Ben Warland, 12. Antony Golec, 18. Theo Markelis, 19. Jake Barker-Daish, 22. Mark Ochiening, 1. John Hall, 24. Dylan Smith

Birkalla starting XI: 1. Ryan Veitch, 2. Scott Nagel, 4. Tom Dittmar, 5. Adam LeCornu, 6. Daniel Guastella, 9. Toby Nelson, 10. Justin Bralic, 11. Ryan Kitto, 15. JP Cirillo, 22. David Scalamera, 18. Jake Monaco - Subs: 7. Michael De Bono, 32. Maysom Hussain, 14 Nathan Munro, 34. Michael Glavas, 26. Daniel Waine, 20. Julian Torresan, 21. David Thornton.

FRIENDLY CLASH - ADELAIDE UNITED (Bruce Djite 11m, 20m, 64m Sergio Cirio 22m, Jeronimo Neumann 29m, 31m, Dylan Smith 50m, 57m) BIRKALLA (Scott Nagel 60m) at Coopers Stadium.

[sevengoals]

Goals Galore!

[burst]

how long till the club sends out your membership swag? i signed up on the 7/08.

[EdDog]

From memory, it was going to be towards the end of September. Advised in one of the members email after sign up.

[Old Gregg]

They said September, and to call the club membership number if you don't receive it by October 1.

[burst]

thanks for the info.

[Irish]

Everything the bloke coaches is Barca 101; shape, movement, passages of play, etc. That's something I do know an aweful lot about as I've spent considerable time studying it and coaching possession based football.

Obviously you think Bruce needs a fair bit of work to make the team. Val reckons this will be our best XI

The Advertiser thinks Eugene Galekovic, Tarek Elrich, Jon McKain, Antony Golec, Cassio, Dario Vidosic, Isaias Sanchez, Marcelo Carrusca, Fabio Ferreira, Jeronimo Neumann and Sergio Cirio will be Adelaide's five-star XI.

What are your thoughts on Cassio? I have a question mark over him playing this system to be honest mainly due to how one sided he is.

Woops! Sorry, was referring to Cam Watson. Bruce will be absolutely fine.

Cassio is a tough one, Josep won't like Cassio's tendencies to take players on so deep in our own half and run with the ball through the middle of the park. However he will be playing much higher up the pitch when we are in possession so maybe it won't matter too much. Cassio's biggest issue is getting back behind the ball once it's turned over. He'll have to resolutely work on his pressing too because quick wingers will have no problems getting in behind and isolating him far up the park.

[EdDog]

In his interview with TWG, Gombau said he wanted another LB. Whether that's to replace Cassio or to have a backup remains to be seen.

[Schultzy]

In his interview with TWG, Gombau said he wanted another LB. Whether that's to replace Cassio or to have a backup remains to be seen.

he said that he wanted two players for every position.

hence ditching one of the five CBs in the process.

[Stuckey]

Looks like he's wanting players with a certified position not utility players who are average in several positions.

IMO this could be risky if injuries take toll with such a small playing roster to work with.

[mcjules]

Woops! Sorry, was referring to Cam Watson. Bruce will be absolutely fine.

Cassio is a tough one, Josep won't like Cassio's tendencies to take players on so deep in our own half and run with the ball through the middle of the park. However he will be playing much higher up the pitch when we are in possession so maybe it won't matter too much. Cassio's biggest issue is getting back behind the ball once it's turned over. He'll have to resolutely work on his pressing too because quick wingers will have no problems getting in behind and isolating him far up the park.

All good. It sounds like Cam is on the way out if Josep has his way.

As for Cassio, having an interrupted pre-season as he is at the moment is not going to help us!

[RedRis]

Judging from the preseason games I've seen it looks like Watson is really enjoying playing Josep's system, and he has featured regularly in the defensive midfield role. Could be a break through year for him. Hopefully.

[Old Gregg]

Someone on F**tb*lln*ws claiming that Gombau is unhappy and wants out, someone else claiming he's back in Spain for some reason. Hope it's just usual shit-talk and there's nothing in it. Will find out tomorrow @ the member's day I suppose

[RedsUnited]

Judging from the preseason games I've seen it looks like Watson is really enjoying playing Josep's system, and he has featured regularly in the defensive midfield role. Could be a break through year for him. Hopefully.

It's a shame Isaías will always be ahead of him in that position.