In Ange Postecoglou’s final game at Melbourne Victory, appropriately against a Brisbane side he once led to two championships, a solitary James Troisi goal made all the difference as the coach in focus ended his relatively short tenure at Victory a winner. A fitting match-up in the end as the short passing game he developed, in turn revolutionizing the tactical game in Australia, was in full display as the two teams he shaped tried to out-pass and outplay each other.
In a tight first half, both sides hustled and bustled but were unable to quite penetrate each other’s final third. The winner came early in the second half when returning Socceroo James Troisi seemed to play a pass from Archie Thompson too far ahead of himself, before outpacing Matt Smith and squeezing his shot through the hesitant Michael Theo’s legs from a tight angle. The match remained tense right until the last whistle, as both Mitch Nichols and Thompson forced strong saves from Theo, while at the other end Nathan Coe stopped a low Ivan Franjic bullet. Victory’s defence stood tall as Brisbane pressed for the equalizer. By the end of the game, 21,000 Victory fans stood in ovation, grateful for Ange’s contribution in turning around the clubs fortunes in a relatively short period of time.
Farewell Ange, from your good friend Kevin
It was a poetic way for Ange to conclude his career at Victory- a well-fought win against his former side, a hotly tipped title contender with a perfect start to the season. He was visibly emotional when Troisi scored, and at the conclusion of the match when interviewed and thanking supporters for the final time. Ange can now commence his new chapter with the Socceroos with head held high, knowing that, despite not quite having the opportunity to fulfill his ambitions at victory, he left the team in a good place.
The task for Kevin Muscat will be not to reinvent the wheel, but to apply what he learnt from Ange and continue his system. Once again, the focus for Victory against Brisbane was its fluid front four, with Trosi and Nichols playing through the middle, and Thompson and Kiwi international Kosta Barbarouses, in his first start for the team, gracing the wings. Finkler again played a cameo off the bench, while Connor Pain, demoted to the bench after the Adelaide game, provided a late spark.
Victory defence finally defending
In recent years, defence has been Melbourne Victory’s Achilles heel. Consistently near the top of table for goals conceded, a noticeable lack of leadership and organisation has dogged Melbourne’s back four since Kevin Muscat’s retirement. Ange Postecoglou’s first season did not completely rectify the defensive situation, with three goalkeepers and a host of defenders tried and tested with mixed results. Tando Velaphi, Petar Franjic, Sam Gallagher, Matthew Foschini, Diogo Ferreira and Daniel Mullen (albeit on loan) all paid with their contracts. New goalkeeper Nathan Coe struggled coming off his line and command his area aerially. Adama Traore’s season was cut down by injury. New signings Jason Geria and Scott Galloway, and youth player Dylan Murnane, all under 20 years old, all endured a baptism of fire trying to adapt to Postecoglou’s system.
Despite Ange’s preferred focus on attack, visible improvements to Melbourne’s defence were made over the off-season. This is evident after the first three rounds, where Victory have looked solid down back. Another sound defensive display was on show against Brisbane. Whilst star striker Besart Berisha’s absence may have been a huge loss for the Roar, Victory for the most part stifled their attack and kept their midfield trio of Thomas Broich, Matt McKay and Liam Miller quiet.
Adrian Leijer, much maligned throughout Melbourne’s past defensive frailties, was relieved of captain’s duties for this season and now looks a new man. Against Brisbane he was reading the play expertly, tackling precisely, heading strongly and passing accurately, with previous nervy moments when playing out from the back nowhere to be seen. His early return to form is a welcome relief for the coaching staff who have showed faith in him during his struggles.
The rest of the defence also played their part. Coe was coming off his line and claiming the ball confidently, also showing vast improvement from last season. Geria, whilst affording Stefanutto and Broich too much space down his flank at times, is growing in ability in a position not natural to him. Traore, coming back from injury, looked as solid as always, providing as much going forward as he does in defence, with one of his crosses in the first half just missing Nichols in the box. Captain Mark Milligan and Leigh Broxham were constantly screening the back four and close down space available to Brisbane’s attackers. With Pablo Contreras suspended, Nick Ansell again stepped into his place nobly, though will probably still be the unlucky one to make way for the marquee man when he comes back next week.
With two clean sheets in three games now, Victory look a much more formidable side in defence, complimenting its attack nicely.
Lack of final ball cutting-edge
Whilst Victory have an impressive attacking line-up on paper, it is seemingly yet to reach its full potential on the pitch, still not completely ticking against Brisbane. Decision-making was the biggest downfall, with balls played in first time when they could have been held up, passes misplaced, and one-two’s being overplayed. That’s not to take anything away from Brisbane’s back four, with Jade North especially playing an excellent game cutting off supply to Victory’s forwards.
And that’s before Archie Thompson’s multiple offsides are mentioned. Whether Archie knows he is slowing down with age, forcing him to straddle that offside line even closer, or is merely going through a confidence issue, his infringements prevented many further scoring opportunities from flourishing. Another potential consequence of his poor timing is linesmen may now just predetermine him in an offside position during close moments. However, he did provide the assist, and looked good in the middle when Pain came on to take the wing. Archie’s first touch and ball control are as good as always. Playing permanently in the middle, with Troisi on the wing is a possible option, though that’s a selection headache I’d leave for the new coach.
Man of the match Mitch Nichols was again a workhorse with great vision, deserving praise for his early season form. Against Brisbane he was causing trouble by constantly running at defences, passing accurately and persistently pressuring their defenders. His work rate has been exceptional.
Conclusion
Whilst Victory are yet to properly click, the signs are ominous. Looking constantly dangerous, they always seem to be one accurate through ball away from wreaking havoc. As the season progresses, they should be able to gel properly, and when they do, the opposition should be worried. The Brisbane game, whilst a happy send-off for Ange, was far from the finished product, but the first win of the season could be a good stepping stone for greater progress, should Muscat appropriately take the reigns and continue the good work started by Ange.