Marco Kurz believes Adelaide United’s first-half display against Melbourne Victory on Wednesday night was their best to date this season.
The Reds struck twice in three minutes on their way to a commanding 2-0 win over our fierce rivals at Coopers Stadium.
First-half goals from Craig Goodwin and Ken Ilsø proved decisive as United snapped Melbourne’s nine-match unbeaten streak.
“It was a big win for us against a very good team,” Kurz told reporters in the post-match press conference, after Adelaide moved seven points clear from the seventh-placed Newcastle Jets.
“And we’re very proud about our style of game tonight.”
Kurz said his side managed to execute the game plan almost perfectly after putting into practice the things they had discussed in training.
However, he stated they can still be a lot smarter with how they negotiate protecting a lead after a few nervous second-half moments, brought about by sloppiness.
“A couple of things were important today,” he said.
“I think to press them high because if they find the offensive line with (James) Troisi, (Ola) Toivonen and (Kostas) Barbarouses, they’re very sharp and they create a lot of chances.
“And also to play very fast in the back-four line because I think we would benefit from our fast, quick players.
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“The first-half was maybe the best in the season and the second-half was more about fight and I think in the future we must be cleverer.
“To stay more in our positions to play the final pass better, we gave them two big chances with Barbarouses for example.
“That’s what we’ve to learn to make it better and then it’s a game which is much easier to see out the final minutes.
“But in the end it was a big win and also a big thank you to the crowd, I think it was fantastic today.”
The German said the other pleasing aspect from their win was that they asserted their authority from the outset as the home team – something which has eluded the team at times this year at Coopers Stadium.
“I think from the first minute we showed everybody in the stadium that we’re ready for a big game and that we’re ready for a big win,” he continued.
“I think we fought and we played also a good game and it was a good step, I think to win against Victory at home is always a big win.
“It’s a derby and it’s the champion from last season.”
Adelaide United face Sydney FC in Round 13 of the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 season on Sunday, 13 January at Jubilee Stadium. Kick-off is at 5.30pm ACDT. Live on Fox Sports, and streamed on the My Football Live App.
