A-League Tackle: Douglas Costa, Juan Mata’s hamstring woes, Adelaide United’s wake-up call

Hamstring issues to two high profile A-League’ stars threaten to overshadow a major fixture while there was a wake-up call for Adelaide United. Socceroos great Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde dissect it in The Tackle.

Douglas Costa made a return from injury. Photo: Getty Images.

Hamstring issues to two high profile A-League stars threaten to overshadow a major fixture while there was a wake-up call for Adelaide United.

Socceroos great Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde dissect it all in The Tackle.

DERBY HAMSTRUNG WITH INJURY

The good news ahead of Saturday night’s derby at Allianz Stadium is that Sydney FC and Western Sydney will both take winning form into the grudge match.

The bad news is that each side’s marquee man ­– Sydney’s Douglas Costa and the Wanderers’ Juan Mata – is hampered with a hamstring problem.

Former Manchester United and Chelsea star Mata has seemingly no chance of playing after limping off just 11 minutes into his side’s 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar on Friday night.

Post-match, Wanderers coach Alen Stajcic indicated Mata would be out for at least a week, and with the Spanish midfielder turning 37 in a couple of months, Western United won’t rush him back and risk re-aggravating the injury.

Things are slightly better for Brazilian winger Costa, who after a six-match absence, came on for the final 10 minutes of Sydney’s 4-1 weekend thrashing of Adelaide United.

However, it’s doubtful that will be enough for the Sky Blues to use Costa from the start against the Wanderers.

Instead, another cameo, this time for slightly longer, looms for the former Juventus and Bayern Munich star in Sydney’s bid to beat the Wanderers for a third time this season.

Juan Mata was injured on Friday night. Photo: Getty Images.

Sydney will rightfully start as favourites in the derby on the back of an impressive display against the Reds.

In contrast, the Wanderers did just enough to beat bottom-of-the-table Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.

However, Western Sydney was clearly the better team and will take some confidence from the win after losing its previous two matches.

While their home form is poor, the Wanderers are hanging around in the battle for a top-six spot on the back of their away performances.

It’s a reason why they will be confident of beating Sydney this weekend.

If the Wanderers can’t lift for this game, especially after already being beaten twice by their arch rivals this season, there’s a problem.

WAKE-UP CALL FOR REDS

Adelaide United coach Carl Veart has plenty to think about after his side was outclassed and thoroughly beaten by the Sky Blues on Saturday.

While it was only the Reds’ second loss of the season, the nature of the defeat should be a concern for Veart, who questioned his side’s “focus” following the loss.

“The quality in the final delivery or shot was just not there … and our workrate off the ball wasn’t where it has been all season.” he said.

“We’ve had a really good start to the season, (but on Saturday) we had too many players that just weren’t at the level they need to be at.”

Perhaps this was the reality check the Reds needed, particularly ahead of Friday night’s battle at Coopers Stadium against Melbourne City.

The Melbourne club will be refreshed by its weekend bye in what looms as a crucial contest after suffering back-to-back losses before its break.

City, currently sitting outside the top six on goal difference, can pull to within one point of the second-placed Reds with Victory in Adelaide, so there is plenty to play for on Friday.

ENOUGH OF THE EXCUSES

Brisbane Roar need stop blaming the competition-wide slashing of distribution fees for the club’s horror season.

Coach Ruben Zadkovich continues to harp on about the Roar having been affected by the significant reduction in distribution money from the APL from what the club had initially budgeted for.

However, it’s the same for all clubs, but there seems to be far less complaints from other teams, even those similar to the Roar in terms of budget and finance.

The Roar have got no-one to blame but themselves for being last on the ladder with just one win from 14 matches this season.

They were again poor in their 1-0 home loss on Friday night to a Western Sydney Wanderers side that hardly set the world on fire.

Rather than blame the cutting of distribution fees, the Roar should realise that ordinary recruitment has been a key reason for their woeful campaign.

Two of the club’s five imports ­– Ecuadorean winger Neicer Acosta and Netherlands-born Indonesian international forward Rafael Struick ­– have barely been used.

It has been even worse for Marcus Ferkranus. The American defender with an Australian passport hasn’t tasted any A-League action at all.

What was the point of bringing these players to the club in the off-season if they’re not being used?

Zadkovich and the club’s football director Zac Anderson must take responsibility for the poor recruiting decisions.

The whole season has been a disaster. Surely, the club’s owners, the Bakrie Group, can see that and must make changes.

Mitch Langerak is already making a difference for Melbourne Victory. Photo: Getty Images.

MITCH KEEPING IT REAL AT VICTORY

What a difference Mitch Langerak has made at Melbourne Victory.

It’s no coincidence that the Victory have looked far more composed and calm in both games star goalkeeper Langerak has played since rejoining the club following a lengthy overseas stint.

The Victory haven’t conceded a goal in the two games Langerak has played, and have also won both of them to move back up the ladder after a run of six matches without a win.

Credit to Victory coach Arthur Diles for biting the bullet by choosing Langerak ahead of Jack Duncan.

A change was needed, and when you have arguably the nation’s best keeper in your squad, you don’t leave him on the bench.

It has obviously been the right choice, and has instantly turned the Victory again into title contenders.

Team of the week (includes midweek performances): (4-1-4-1) 

Mitch Langerak (Melbourne Victory); Hiroki Sakai (Auckland FC), Roderick Miranda (Melbourne Victory), Alex Bonetig (Western Sydney Wanderers), Ben Garuccio (Western United); Louis Verstraete (Auckland FC); Joe Lolley (Sydney FC), Anthony Caceres (Sydney FC), Neyder Moreno (Auckland FC), Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory); Noah Botic (Western United). Coach: Ufuk Talay (Sydney FC).

Player of the week: Louis Verstraete (Auckland FC)

Originally published as A-League Tackle: Douglas Costa, Juan Mata’s hamstring woes, Adelaide United’s wake-up call