Melbourne Victory looks to bounce back when it visits Adelaide United in the Hyundai A-League on Saturday.
Summary
Victory is winless in three games after an undermanned side was edged 2-1 by Sydney FC last time out.
Without a host of players due to injuries and international duty, Victory took the lead in Sydney through an Ola Toivonen header, but fell to defeat in the second half.
The trip to Adelaide will mark the first time Victory head coach Marco Kurz has faced his former club.
Toivonen’s goal in Sydney continued what has been a fine start to the campaign for Victory’s captain.
The Swedish forward, 33, has scored four goals and assisted two in six games to start the season, taking his tally to 19 strikes in 28 league matches for Victory.
Toivonen also moved into outright 10th for most Hyundai A-League goals for Victory, surpassing Mark Milligan.
Victory was also able to give opportunities to several youngsters in Sydney, with Brandon Lauton, 19, Anthony Lesiotis, 19, and Josh Hope, 21, starting, the latter providing the assist for Toivonen’s goal.
In good news for Victory, Robbie Kruse made his return from a hamstring injury with an appearance off the bench.
On its previous two visits to Adelaide this year, Victory has suffered narrow 2-0 and 1-0 losses.
Player in focus
What they said
“It’s always good to play in front of a crowd – even if it’s a hostile one. I love playing in front of great atmospheres. We’ve got a very experienced team. We just have to keep working hard, putting everything into each session, and it’ll click. When it does click, we’ll be back.” – Victory teenager Lauton.
“I’ve heard that it’s the biggest game of the year. I’m really looking forward to playing in it. Rivalries are always the most fun games to play so I hear there’s going to be a lot of people.” – Adelaide United forward Kristian Opseth.
Last time
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Round 26
Adelaide United 1-0 Melbourne Victory
Friday, April 19, 2019
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
It took until the 81st minute to separate the teams in Adelaide last season.
George Blackwood scored the winning goal for Adelaide late on at Coopers Stadium.
As it stands
Head to head
Round 26, 2018/19: Adelaide 1-0 Victory at Coopers Stadium
Round 12, 2018/19: Adelaide 2-0 Victory at Coopers Stadium
Round 7, 2018/19: Victory 2-0 Adelaide at Marvel Stadium
Elimination Final, 2017/18: Victory 2-1 Adelaide at AAMI Park
Round 21, 2017/18: Victory 3-0 Adelaide at AAMI Park
Match details
Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
Melbourne Victory squad: 2.Storm ROUX, 3.Corey BROWN, 4.James DONACHIE, 5.Tim HOOGLAND, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Kenny ATHIU, 8.Jakob POULSEN, 9.Andrew NABBOUT, 10.Robbie KRUSE, 11.Ola TOIVONEN (c), 14.Thomas DENG, 16.Josh HOPE, 17.Elvis KAMSOBA, 18.Migjen BASHA, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (gk), 21.Adama TRAORE, 22.Kristijan DOBRAS, 24.Anthony LESIOTIS, 25.Brandon LAUTON, 50.Brendan WHITE (gk)
Ins: 2.Storm ROUX (returns from international duty), 7.Kenny ATHIU (returns from international duty), 9.Andrew NABBOUT (returns from injury), 14.Thomas DENG (returns from international duty), 17.Elvis KAMSOBA (returns from international duty)
Outs: 13.Birkan KIRDAR (omitted), 19.Ben CARRIGAN (omitted), 26.Jay BARNETT (omitted), 30.Matthew SUTTON (omitted)
Unavailable: 1.Matt ACTON (shoulder)
