Adelaide United

Last Match Paid

A-League

Round 21

Adelaide United 3 - 2 Central Coast Mariners

2021-02-19 08:05 More Reports

Next Match Paid

A-League

Round 3

Western Sydney Wanderersvs. Adelaide United

2021-02-27 06:05:00 More Previews

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Season Guide

2020/2021

Adelaide United

In

Joe Gauci (gk) Melbourne City; James Delianov (gk) Western United; George Timotheou (def) free agent; Javi Lopez (def) free agent; Joe Caletti (mid) Floro (NOR); Yaya Dukulu (mid) Melbourne City; Tomi Juric (att) CSKA Sofia;

Out

Riley McGree (k) (mid) Charlotte FC; Kristian Opseth (k) (att) Benagluru (IND); Paul Izzo (r) (gk) Xanthi; Nikola Mileusnic (r) (mid) Randers FC; James Troisi (r) (mid) Western Sydney Wanderers; Isaac Richards (sp) (gk) end of career; George Blackwood (sp) (att) Oldham Athletic; Lachlan Brook (mid) Brentford B; Yongbin Chen (mid) Red Lions (CHN);

Adelaide had mixed last season, they once again won the FFA Cup but then went on to miss out on the play-offs by a single point. However, the Reds were nowhere near the top 6 when Verbeek was sacked and Carl Veart took charge so even getting so close to the play-offs was considered a success and gave Veart the job permanently. Adelaide had very tough off-season so far though with no less than 5 regulars, amongst them key figures McGree and Opseth, leaving the club that collapsed in financial difficulties after the 2 main sponsors backed out. This meant that Veart had to rebuild with hardly any money to spend. He focused on signing mainly promising youngsters that he plans to develop, with the one major new arrival so far proven goalscorer Tomi Juric. His A-League record is very good and undoubtedly all the forward actions would be focused through Juric. Defensive line looks the strongest part of the squad right now, but on goal would be relying on an inexperienced youngster, as both newcomers Gauci and Delianov hardly have much playing time at this level and both are very young. Last season no less than 6 teenagers made senior debuts and Adelaide are known to have one of the strongest Academies in the country, so the same could be expected this season too. Also, now in their second years as professionals, the Toure brothers and speed-merchant Yengi could be having breakthrough campaign as they all showed plenty of promise under Veart back in June-July.

Target

Adelaide will once again target top 6 finish and it should be close for them again. The question being on which side of the line the Reds would finish this time.

Season Review

2019/2020

№7: Adelaide United

Adelaide used this season to develop large group of talented youngsters and despite missing out on the play-offs by a single point the Reds played some very attractive football throughout the course of the campaign. They also won silverware after lifting the FFA Cup back in December. Gertjan Verbeek’s reign as Adelaide coach had impressive start, 4 wins in first 6 rounds, but then 2 separate runs of 5 defeats in 6 (the first one December-January, the next late February-March) unsettled things and during the COVID-break Verbeek left. The final 5 rounds of the regular season were under interim boss Veart and despite being unbeaten in them (W2 D3) Adelaide dramatically missed out on top 6 finish. The explosiveness of their many talented youngsters and the aggressive forward actions were amongst Adelaide’s main strengths throughout the season. The young age of many players was also weakness though as the developing bodies of many of the players suffered and for the best part of the campaign Adelaide had at least 3-4 players constantly out injured. McGree was very influential and aggressive from midfield, while Opseth took his time in his maiden campaign in Australia but come the end of the season he was also key figure. Veart deserve praise for the way he managed the squad since the restart and he’s expected to be given the job permanently. With all of the young players expected to be even better next season Adelaide seem to have bright future ahead of them and they will be strong contenders for top 6 finish in 2020/21.