They’re injury hit and without that winning feeling but Adelaide coach Marco Kurz insists Tuesday’s FFA Cup final against Sydney will bring out the best in his side.
United will be missing strike pair George Blackwood (collarbone) and Baba Diawara (knee) after both went down in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle.
The Hindmarsh Stadium clash will reunite the sides that drew 1-1 in last weekend’s opening A-League round and straight-talking Kurz has seen enough, despite the setbacks, to enter the match with confidence.
“I’m not frustrated because we played a good game against Sydney and [on Friday] also the intensity was good,” he said.
“I’m happy with the intensity, the performance and heart from the boys … on Tuesday it’s a final, both teams will be prepared and hungry for the trophy.
“We’ll find a strong line up for Tuesday and we are ready for the fight for the cup.”
It will be the second of three games inside six days for Steve Corica’s Sydney outfit, who beat Western Sydney 2-0 amid more video assistant referee drama on Saturday.
Marquee Siem De Jong (hamstring) is also unlikely to play after lasting just 20 minutes in the win, which was overshadowed by Wanderers coach Markus Babbel’s red card for theatrically opposing the decision to overturn a goal.
Remonstrating with the fourth official, Babbel threw his jacket, kicked at on-field signage and gave the crowd a thumbs up as he was marched to the SCG grandstand, later apologising for his behaviour but adamant the offside ruling was incorrect.
It meant the controversial review system again stole the thunder after three games were marred by head-scratching decisions former Socceroos striker Archie Thompson said was ruining the game.
Melbourne City were left seething when both the on-field and video referees dismissed their pleas for a penalty in the 75th minute on the Central Coast.
A Dario Vidosic goal soon after at least secured a 1-1 draw and saw them set an A-League record with a 17th consecutive away game goal.
But coach Warren Joyce was hardly celebrating the feat, left to lament a string of missed opportunities that denied them the full three points.