Marco Kurz says Adelaide United must play an error free game if they are to triumph past Melbourne Victory in the latest instalment of the Original Rivalry on Good Friday night.
Adelaide’s return to form in recent weeks has them in the box seat to secure a fourth-place finish, and consequently a home final with two matches left in the regular season. They lead both Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne City by a point each.
The Reds are enjoying a three-match unbeaten streak, while Melbourne bounced back to record a 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners last week.
Kurz said it was comforting to see the Reds achieve their initial objective of making Finals, and stated their attention has turned to fighting for fourth spot.
“I think firstly we’re very happy to reach the final two rounds before the end of the regular season,” Kurz told reporters in the pre-match press conference.
“Now we’ve a big chance to fight for fourth position and for that we need points and I hope we can start tomorrow to get points for our new goal and the goal is a home final, a knockout final at Coopers Stadium.”
Extended squad for the #OriginalRivalry is in. #AUFC #ADLvMVC
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Adelaide collected all three points in the pair’s most recent encounter following a 2-0 home win over Victory back in January.
And if United do indeed prevail past Kevin Muscat’s team, it will be the first time since February 2013 that the Reds would have secured successive league wins over their bitter foes.
But Kurz knows they must deliver a complete performance to have a chance of taking maximum points from the clash.
“I think we need an excellent game, a brilliant game without issues, without mistakes. That’s what we need,” he said.
“We saw in both games (this season) we played against them that we can beat them.
“One game we beat them but in the away game you saw the high quality from the opposite side. They didn’t have more chances, but they scored two goals and I think we need a perfect day.
“… But we believe that we’ve a chance for a win tomorrow.”
A near capacity crowd is expected for the highly anticipated contest and the German suggested that when Coopers Stadium is full the supporters act as a “12th man”, noting players also naturally rise to the occasion.
“All the games against Victory they were fantastic,” he continued.
“Always a good crowd, tomorrow we’ll have a fantastic crowd in our stadium and it can be the twelfth man tomorrow for us.
“It’s a fantastic crowd for both teams the weather is fine and it’s Good Friday and that means everyone can come to the game.
“And also Victory can fight for the second position so for both teams it’s a massive game tomorrow.”
Adelaide United host Melbourne Victory in Round 26 of the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 season on Friday, 19 April at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.20pm ACST. Gates open 5.50pm.
