Antonis Pagonis 
Adelaide United's unbeaten 10-game run saw them enter the Finals Series from second on the ladder. Photo Credit: Pagonis Photography
Airton Andrioli has completed a highly successful first regular season as Adelaide United’s A-League Men Head Coach.
Round Ball Australia looks at the points of difference that have elevated the Reds from the pack as the enter the Finals Series as part of the top two for the first time since 2016.
A convenient head start
The A-Leagues reduced distributions led most clubs to rely more heavily on youth, echoing the league’s push to “right-size.” As a result, Adelaide United gained an advantage by prioritising youth development for several years in the lead-up.
The move started with former South Australian National Talent Centre coach Carl Veart being promoted from the club’s Assistant Coach to the top job. While not achieving silverware, Veart used his experience in the state’s developmental system to blood players such as Ethan Alagich, Panagiotis Kikianis, Jonny Yull, and Luka Jovanovic into the A-League Men set-up.
That early show of faith means that, a few years later, these players are not only integral to the club’s youth strategy but also among the league’s most influential players. Their rise helped Andrioli extend Veart’s process of providing opportunities for young talent, now with a more balanced approach thanks to the groundwork laid in past years.
A more complete game plan
One of the most glaring shortcomings of Carl Veart’s final seasons as Adelaide United Head Coach was his team’s abysmal defensive record. In the 2024/25 campaign, the Reds conceded a whopping 55 goals in 26 games, only one less than cellar-dwellers Perth Glory. At times, Veart’s salvation was that his team tended to score at a similar rate, but that approach proved unsustainable.
In his first season in charge, Andrioli proved that balance can exist at Hindmarsh. His team maintained the attacking flair seen under Veart and arguably added more strings to its bow, enjoying comfortable, effective time on the ball in the middle of the park rather than relying purely on transitions to do their damage. The Reds managed to score the second-most goals in the league, behind Premiers Newcastle Jets, but that was not the statistic that stood out.
Adelaide United reverted to league average in goals conceded. Conceding 36 goals in 26 games may not be an amazing record, but it is a 19-goal improvement from the previous campaign. Combine that defensive uptick with one of the league’s most lethal attacks, and Adelaide proves to be a complete and competent side, not just the league’s entertainers.
The Reds’ second-place finish, their highest in a decade, is proof of that fact.
Crisis creates opportunity
Losing the league’s top scorer and two starting midfielders before your first season as an A-League Head Coach is far from ideal, but that’s what Andrioli experienced when Archie Goodwin, Zach Clough, and Stefan Mauk headed for the exit door in pre-season.
The departures were far from ideal, but they opened the door for the likes of Luka Jovanovic, who got consistent starts in the Adelaide United forward line, resulting in a share of the Golden Boot, while Brody Burkitt was also introduced to professional football, notably recording a hat-trick away to Brisbane Roar.
Meanwhile, Ryan White became one of the first names on Andrioli’s starting line-up, an opportunity that would simply have not existed with two senior figures ahead of him in Clough and Mauk. Luke Duzel was also restored to the fold in the middle of the park after being persona non grata in the previous campaign.
The misfortune continued for Andrioli during the season, as he lost his captain, Craig Goodwin, and wing-back Dylan Pierias for extended periods. Despite losing crucial pieces to his team, the Reds coach was able to provide consistent minutes to Jonny Yull, who began delivering on the promising signs he had shown previously, while Jay Barnett’s unsung adaptation to the fullback role has been equally inspired.
Influential imports
In a league where resources are limited, clubs must maximise their investments if they hope to succeed. A revealing study in how clubs maximise their assets is how they utilise their visa spots. Adelaide United have been no strangers to the ineffective use of those spots in recent years, with Ryan Tunnicliffe and Julian Kwaaitaal brought in through that scheme without effectively contributing to the squad.
Adelaide United has been able to generate greater value from its investments in recent times. After a mixed first season, Bart Vriends solidified his output in his second campaign, creating a solid partnership with Panagiotis Kikianis in the heart of defence while also stepping up as captain for the injured Craig Goodwin.
Joshua Smits’ addition provided a calming influence between the sticks after the poor defending in the previous campaign clouded the performances of three different goalkeepers for the Reds.
Juan Muñiz grew into his role in the Adelaide midfield, having to fight for his spot against a competitive field, and has contributed with classy moments, notably assists to secure victories away at Brisbane Roar and at home against Melbourne Victory, as well as a well-placed free-kick goal against Perth Glory at Coopers Stadium.
Meanwhile, Brazilian import Anselmo has had injury setbacks, but since returning to fitness, he has added a new dimension to his side’s attacking game with his hold-up play, showing he can be a weapon for the Reds after securing their spot in finals football with a brace off the bench against Macarthur in the penultimate round of the 2025/26 season.
Unprecedented resilience
Adelaide United’s second-place finish and 12 victories are impressive, but a closer look at the statistics reveals a deeper significance. The road to success wasn’t straightforward for Andrioli’s side, which conceded first in 15 of its 26 games this season.
This constant catch-up game has seen the Reds build grit and resilience, learning to overcome setbacks, culminating in a 10-game unbeaten run to end the season. In doing so, the Reds have also resisted the temptation to revert to the old habit of weekly shoot-outs with their opponents, developing their composure regardless of the circumstances throughout the campaign.
A big part of that resilience has been a more settled starting line-up than in previous seasons. That self-belief and stability, combined with a week off and a second-leg home semi-final in front of a raucous Coopers crowd, give the Reds their best tilt at the big prize since claiming the Championship in front of a sold-out Adelaide Oval a decade ago.