Marco Kurz has warned his Adelaide United side that they’ll need to be at their best to avoid an FFA Cup 2018 upset against APIA Leichhardt tonight.
The Reds arrive in Sydney’s inner-west just two steps away from reaching their third FFA Cup Final.
But Kurz is wary of an intrepid APIA outfit, and is determined for his Adelaide team not to become the next Hyundai A-League club added to a list of FFA Cup giant-killings.
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“I think it’s always dangerous for A-League teams to play NPL teams,” Kurz said.
“You have to show that you’re the A-League team. It’s one game, and in one game you can win or you could lose against every team of the world.
“And that’s a big chance in the cup for an NPL team and we know this. I think we are prepared but we have to play and we must be better.”
APIA Leichhardt famously defeated Melbourne Victory 3-2 at Leichhardt Oval last month in one of the FFA Cup’s greatest upsets.
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And although the Reds might arrive at the same venue as favourites tonight, Kurz believes Adelaide need a ‘perfect’ performance against the Tigers.
“I saw the game against Victory and I saw a very aggressive opponent. They start not to drop back, they defend high and with a high intensity,” he said.
“They have nothing to lose, but we had a good warning, they beat Melbourne Victory in a strong and hard game.
“I think it’s very important that we have a good attitude, the same as in an A-League game and then I feel we have a good chance to reach the next round.
“But it means that we need a perfect performance against APIA.”
