Growing up in South Australia, there was nothing Ben Garuccio enjoyed more than watching Adelaide United against Melbourne Victory.
Now a Hyundai A-League star with the Reds, the all-action left-back always circles the clash against the Big V in the calendar at the start of every season.
And on Friday night he’ll be hoping to inflict a third-straight defeat on Victory as the Reds aim to stay unbeaten themselves in what looms as a blockbuster clash at Adelaide Oval.
“It’s very special for me. I remember when I was a young kid I used to look forward to this game,” said Garuccio of Adelaide United’s rivalry with Victory.
“And getting amongst it and giving them a bit of stick so now to be out there it’s the same. It’s a massive game.
“Obviously Adelaide Oval, Friday night under lights you couldn’t really ask for a better setting.
“[The Melbourne Derby and Reds-Victory] are exactly same, it’s still a massive game and that hatred is just as big between the two clubs, the two states,” Garuccio added.
“It’s a really good spectacle, it’s a really good game to play in and really looking forward to it.”
Friday’s clash will be Adelaide’s first home match of the 2017/18 Season, having picked up a win [against Brisbane Roar] and draw [v Wellington Phoenix] on the road so far.
And Garuccio hopes to see a jam-packed Adelaide Oval to try and help Marco Kurz’s side maintain their impressive start to the campaign.
“Speaking to the boys before the season started with the two tough away games I think the boys said anything more than four points we’d be very happy with,” the 22-year-old said.
“So buzzing to get the win last week [against Roar] and obviously looking to push on this week.
“All the boys are just buzzing to be out there, we haven’t been starting our games the best but that’s something we have to work on.
“And it just shows the grit and the fitness we have been working on all pre-season to come through with the three points.”
