Mileusnic’s training with Mori pays off with winner
ADELAIDE United’s Nikola Mileusnic says his finishing needs improvment despite jagging the winner against Perth on Saturday night.
His side-foot far-post finish in a 2-1 win for the Reds over Perth Glory after the visitors had led early was clinical.
It was just Mileusnic’s third goal in 35 A-League appearances – as well as four 2017 FFA Cup goals in five matches – but he said he was still working on his finishing.
Mileusnic said he had taken goalscoring lessons and advice from Damian Mori, the very best in the business in Australia when he was at Adelaide City.
“I have had a much stronger season than last season,’’ Mileusnic said after the Reds recovery session yesterday.
“(Coach) Marco Kurz has played a massive part in my development and if I can get my finishing in the final third with the final ball I think I have got a better chance of succeeding in the A-League. “It’s about practice.
“I had some tough sessions with Damian (Mori) in terms of finishing and crossing.
“Damian is all about sidefooting (goals). I didn’t really agree with it but the stats shows it works.”
Mori scored 236 NSL goals in 431 appearances and 15 A-League goals in 36 matches.
All up Mori bagged 368 goals including 29 for the Socceroos in 654 matches.
Mileusnic had his best goalscoring season in 2016 under Mori when he scored 16 goals in 25 NPL matches before former Reds boss Guillermo Amor gave him another A-League chance after former boss Josep Gombau had cut him. Mileusnic is an integral part of Kurz’s side, starting 18 matches.
He is also credited with four assists after having 37 shots and 10 on target this season.
His lightning speed is causing seasoned A-League defenders havoc.
Kurz’s game plan is for Mileusnic to penetrate when he is allowed space to move forward with the ball in wide areas.
Adelaide leads the unofficial A-League statistic of shots at goal per game.
The Reds average 15 shots per game and in one clash fired 27, but still lost 2-1 to Brisbane Roar. However, Adelaide have bagged just 22 goals in 19 matches.