Kurz calls for vigilance against Roar
ADELAIDE United coach Marco Kurz is wary of a Brisbane Roar ambush at Coopers Stadium today.
Much of the attention in recent weeks has been on the Roar’s shocking injury toll, which has contributed to Brisbane having won just two of their 12 games this season.
The likes of star French winger Eric Bautheac ( hamstring), marquee man Brett Holman ( calf), defenders Jade North ( groin) and Daniel Bowles ( hamstring), midfielder Joe Caletti ( foot) and utility Ivan Franjic ( quad) are all injured, while former Greek international Avraam Papadopoulos remains suspended.
Adelaide, who beat the Roar 2- 1 at Suncorp Stadium in round two, will start as heavy favourites on home soil today. However, Kurz won’t allow his players to fall into the trap of underestimating a Brisbane side containing in- form Italian marksman Massimo Maccarone, who has scored six goals this season, including three in Brisbane’s past four matches.
“We make a mistake when we speak about the injuries from Brisbane,” Kurz said.
“It’s very important to speak about the strengths from this team. They’ve lost games, but very close games.
“It’s a good team. With Maccarone they have a very good striker, and for us it’s very important to be focused for this game tomorrow.
“If we make the mistake to think it’s a simple game, than we’ve lost.”
Roar coach John Aloisi also preferred the focus to be on the players he had available — including teenage prodigy Rahmat Akbari — rather than those on the sidelines.
Attacking midfielder Akbari is a chance to make his first A- League start today as the replacement for the injured Nick D’Agostino ( ankle).
“I want to look at the positives and look at the players that are going to play,” Aloisi said.
“We’ve got options. Even though we’ve got quite a few players out, I still believe in the attacking players that we’ve got.”
Aloisi urged Akbari to “play without fear and be confident” today.
“In training he’s not scared of coming up against seasoned pros,” the Roar coach said of the Afghanistanborn Australian under- 17 international.