Adelaide United midfielder Osama Malik says he bears no ill-feeling towards former teammate Marcos Flores ahead of Friday night’s clash with Melbourne Victory.
Adelaide United midfielder Osama Malik says he bears no ill-feeling towards former teammate Marcos Flores ahead of Friday night’s clash with Melbourne Victory.
Flores joined Victory as their international marquee player in July, ruling out a return to Hindmarsh Stadium.
The Argentinean played one season at Adelaide in 2010-11, winning the Johnny Warren Medal as the Hyundai A-League’s best player before moving to Chinese side Henan Jianye.
He was lured back to Australia by Victory and will come up against his old club for the first time in the A-League at Etihad Stadium.
Malik, who will play a large part in trying to negate the attacking midfielder, said there was no bad blood between the players.
“It happens in football, people move on,” Malik said.
“He’s a great player and I was lucky enough to train and play alongside him a bit when he was here. It will be a tough job but it’s one I’m looking forward to.”
While Adelaide remain the only team with a perfect record after two rounds, Victory are languishing at the bottom of the ladder on the back of opening losses to rivals Melbourne Heart and champions Brisbane Roar.
“Obviously they will be very disappointed,” Malik said.
“They’re a proud club and will be out to prove a point this week but hopefully if we can play our own game we can do well and consolidate the good start we’ve had.
“They’re a new team. Ange (Postecoglou) has got them playing a different way and I’m sure they’ll work on some things during the week and improve.
“Any derby between Adelaide and Melbourne is a good game and it’s going to be tough, so there is never really a good time to face them but if we go about our business I think we can do well.”
Adelaide playmaker Dario Vidosic will come into contention after missing last week’s win over Western Sydney Wanderers with a hamstring complaint, while defender Nigel Boogaard needs to prove his fitness after rolling his ankle at training on Monday.
