Adelaide City v MetroStars
PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia Round 11 

When: Saturday, May 14. Kick-off 3pm
Where: Adelaide City Park, Corner Fosters Road & Hilltop Drive, OAKDEN 

Teams: 

Adelaide City: 2 M. Acton, 7 J. Allwright, 5 A. Babb, 8 P. Blefari, 11 N. Bucco, 9 A. Costa, 12 L. Farquhar, 13 D. Filosi, 5 M. Halliday, 17 M. Kamara, 19 G. Kolopelnyk, 16 T. Love, 10 N. Mileusnic, 22 M. Moore, 18 J. Mori, 14 A. Orphanou, L. Ostbye, 6 J. Pudler, 3 A. Sunasky, 4 S. Tobias, 1 R. Veitch 

MetroStars: 18 F. Barbiero, 8 R. Callisto, 1 I. Carmody, 7 M. D Aloisio, 4 J. Davis, 24 T. Dodd, 5 T. Henderson, 30 M. Higgins, 9 J. Negus, 25 C. Piantadosi, 19 J. Polisena, 17 D. Pollock, 14 S. Simic, 6 A. Solagna, 12 T. Theodorou, 13 B. Truscott, 10 L. Wooding

Form: 

Adelaide City: L L W 

FFA Cup Qualifying Round 2: Adelaide City 1-2 Adelaide Blue Eagles, Adelaide City Park
Round 9: West Torrens Birkalla 2-1 Adelaide City, Jack Smith Park
Round 10: South Adelaide 0-3 Adelaide City, O’Sullivan Beach Sports Complex 

MetroStars: W D W

FFA Cup Qualifying Round 2: Gawler 0-6 MetroStars, Karbeethan Reserve
Round 9: Croydon 2-2 MetroStars, Polonia Reserve
Round 10: MetroStars 2-0 West Adelaide, TK Shutter Reserve 

Preview: 

Adelaide City has a battle on its hands to retain first place against a rejuvenated MetroStars in Round 11 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia at Adelaide City Park this Saturday. 

Adelaide City stayed two points clear at the top of the table thanks to a 3-0 success over South Adelaide last Saturday, a fifth win in the last six matches. 

Nicholas Bucco says the team is happy with its progress. 

“We did really well as South Adelaide is a hard place to go. It was a good win for us,” Bucco stated. 

“Apart from the loss to [West Torrens] Birkalla our form has been good. Sometimes we have grinded out results, other times we’ve played really well. 

“Damian [Mori, coach] is happy as top spot is where we want to be.” 

City’s attacking prowess has helped their ascent to the Premier League summit. The Black and White’s total of 33 goals is seven more than any other side. 

Bucco notes the focus is at the back as Adelaide City prepares to face a bogey opponent. It has not defeated MetroStars since 2012. 

“Our defensive shape is something we are more concerned with, because we know if we can keep a clean sheet we can score goals at the other end. That has never been a problem for us. 

“We know that with any slip in concentration we can get punished, so we must stay focused. 

“It’s always hard against MetroStars. They have a good record against us, but we want to continue our unbeaten home record.” 

MetroStars secured just a third win of the season last weekend as it downed reigning champion West Adelaide. The 2-0 win allowed the Klemzig-based club to move out of the relegation zone. 

Coach Rob Saraceno says it was a satisfying result. 

“We hadn’t won for a while, so it was pleasing to beat a team like West Adelaide,” he said. 

“And to also keep a clean sheet was a positive. We played well and it was a good, all-round performance. 

“We conceded a last second goal against Croydon before that, but were able to bounce back. Now we can take confidence into this game.” 

Saraceno has overseen the last two matches, having been promoted from his assistant role in the wake of Michael Pirone’s resignation a fortnight ago. 

The former White City boss says consistency is vital for his side as they prepare to face Adelaide City. 

“The style is not a lot different from what Michael was doing. We have a similar belief in how we play. 

“Consistency is important now. We have showed we can do it in the last few games and need to keep that up. We have a few players coming back into the side. 

“City have good players in form. We have to go there to play our game and we want to give them a headache or two.” 

Written by Luca Cetta - @l_cetta