Guardian writers’ predicted position: 1st
Last season’s position: 4th (lost in semi-final)
For a league entering its 10th season, five years is a long time for the competition’s original powerhouse to go without lifting silverware. During that barren spell, Melbourne Victory have been overtaken by Brisbane Roar as the A-League’s most successful club, having won two premierships and three championships. But with a host of new recruits, including the man that helped to make Brisbane so formidable – Besart Berisha – Melbourne Victory are in a strong position to challenge once again, with expectations high as always.
Kevin Muscat took over from Ange Postecoglou after three rounds last season and now, with a full pre-season to implement his changes, will look to collect the club’s first trophy since he captained the side to success in the 2008-09 season.
Muscat inherited the system and playing philosophy of Postecoglou, who left to take over as Socceroos manager, and was unable to make the necessary changes in order to sufficiently address Victory’s gaping weaknesses at the back last season. There was never any doubt about Victory’s abilities going forward but the porous defence continued to cause problems throughout the season: they conceded 45 times, including consecutive 5-0 losses to Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC.
In an attempt to address those defensive issues, Muscat made minor tweaks as the season progressed. The wingers in the highly discussed 4-2-2-2 formation, who previously pressed high up the pitch without the ball, became more cautious with their positioning, dropping back to protect their full-backs. There was a flirt with a change of formation, with the 4-3-3 used in the Asian Champions League matches when more bodies in midfield were needed. Victory also at times abandoned their attempts at playing out from the back, with goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas going long from goal kicks.
Yet despite those tweaks, the ‘strikerless’ system remained. This was because, with competitive matches coming thick and fast, limited time to perfect the changes on the training ground and a squad designed for the 4-2-2-2 formation and style of play, Muscat’s hands were tied to a degree.
Melbourne Victory have recruited strongly during the off-season, with new players being brought in to strengthen problem areas. They have also enabled a change in formation with Berisha’s high profile arrival. Tenacious and determined, Berisha’s phenomenal goalscoring record during his time in Brisbane colours – 48 goals in 76 A-League matches – speaks for itself but it is also his defensive workrate which will make him indispensable to his new side.
Berisha will lead the line in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which also allows Gui Finkler to occupy a more orthodox playmaking role. Archie Thompson, Connor Pain, Kosta Barbarouses, Andrew Nabbout and new signing Fahid Ben Khalfallah will compete for the wide roles in Victory’s starting eleven.
Victory have also strengthened their midfield and defence. Socceroo Carl Valeri has returned from his decade-long spell in Italy, and will play an important role next to captain Mark Milligan in central midfield. The pair have struck up a promising understanding during pre-season, with a nice balance between Milligan’s forward passing and mobility and Valeri’s more conservative passing and positioning already evident. Leigh Broxham and Rashid Mahazi provide depth in that position, with Broxham expected to step in for Milligan, who will miss the start of the season due to international duty.
In defence, centre-back Matthieu Delpierre has been brought in to replace Pablo Contreras, who retired at the end of his mixed first season in Melbourne. Elsewhere, Australian-born Macedonia international Daniel Georgievski, who can play at both left- and right-back, has also joined the club, adding experience in defence. The loss of Adama Traore will be felt by Victory and, despite Georgievski’s signing, the relative inexperience among the full-backs is clear. While Jason Geria (21), Dylan Murnane (19) and Scott Galloway (19) have all been tested at A-League level, it remains the weakest area of an otherwise strong squad.
But if the defence is to be an issue this season, it hasn’t shown during pre-season. Melbourne Victory have conceded only twice during their 10 unbeaten matches. A 10-0 win over Ballarat Red Devils is the pick of the bunch, but Victory have also smashed Tuggeranong United 6-0 in the FFA Cup and comfortably defeated A-League opponents Perth Glory 3-0. Another win over an A-League opponent came in the form of a 1-0 win over Adelaide United but Sydney FC were able to prevent a perfect build-up, with Ben Khalfallah scoring a 90th minute equaliser for Victory in a 1-1 draw.
Such ominous pre-season form, coupled with their solid player recruitment and Muscat’s introduction of a tweaked playing system will see Victory will enter Season 10 as one of the favourites to claim silverware. Going forward, there is no doubting Victory’s attacking credentials but as has been a familiar issue, it is the defence that will come under scrutiny. If Victory are to have a successful season and end their drought, the leakiness at the back will need to be fixed.
