With qualification into the Asian Champions League group stage sealed, this weekend’s match has a more domestic feel for Melbourne Victory.
Tomorrow night sees a fourth place Victory host an improving Adelaide United side who are currently separated only by goal difference on the ladder.
Melbourne’s last outing was against Muangthong United of Thailand, who were humbled 2-1 as Kevin Muscat’s men earned passage through to the ACL group stage.
Whilst this week’s focus is purely on Adelaide, a congested fixture list sees the Victory play a further five ACL matches, all before the finals series start for the domestic competition.
Although there is a bloated fixture list to contend with over the next few months, the Victory have already proven to be well versed in dealing with squad strain.
“Challenging yes,” Muscat said about his sides upcoming fixture list.
“We’re certainly not complaining about being in the champions league because that’s where we wanted to be.
“We’ve had a number of disruptions already this season with senior internationals and junior internationals and going forward we are going to have more of that.
“Hopefully the past holds us in good stead in terms of understanding that when players go away it gives an opportunity to someone else.”
The head coach also admitted that squad depth will be tested, but for tomorrows clash, a first team line-up is to be expected.
“I can only really worry about tomorrow at this point in time because there’s no point in pencilling a team in for [the midweek ACL clash on] Wednesday night because I don’t know the fallout from tomorrow yet,” Muscat said.
“I daresay that the number of games we’ve got going forward will present opportunities for everyone – I’ve no doubt that we’re going to have to use the full squad.”
Tomorrow marks a fantastic opportunity for Melbourne to build some momentum as they work towards the finals, with the side now unbeaten in three.
“We’re entering a period now where we play a lot of football and I’m excited about that,” the Victory head coach said.
“Tomorrow night gives us an opportunity to put in a real good performance that’ll set us up for the busy period we’ve got going forward.
“Adelaide have gone on a good run, and on their day they are a good side. I think collectively without the ball we are going to have to be nice and compact and structured because once we do win the ball back I daresay we cause problems for the opposition.
“We’ve worked all week on that final third because albeit as we’ve seen in the last few weeks, when we’ve got it right, we are dangerous, especially in those moments when we’re in transition.”
Melbourne Victory begin their tight run of games with a clash against a high flying Adelaide United at AAMI Park. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:45pm tomorrow night.