Melbourne Victory

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Round 12

Melbourne Victory 3 - 4 Western United

2021-02-27 08:10 More Reports

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Round 11

Melbourne Victoryvs. Melbourne City

2021-03-06 08:10 More Previews

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Season Guide

2020/2021

Melbourne Victory

In

Max Crocombe (gk) Brisbane Roar; Nick Ansell (def) Gyeongnam; Ryan Shotton (def) Leek Town; Dylan Ryan (def) Willem II – on loan; Jake Brimmer (mid) Perth Glory; Jacob Butterfield (mid) free agent; Callum McManaman (mid) free agent; Rudy Gestede (att) free agent; Ben Folami (att) Ipswich U23 – on loan; Gianluca Iannucci (att) Melbourne City;

Out

James Donachie (r) (def) Goa (IND); Migjen Basha (r) (mid) Neuxatel Xamax; Andrew Nabbout (r) (att) Melbourne City; Anthony Lesiotis (sp) (def) Western Sydney Wanderers; Giancarlo Gallifuoco (sp) (mid) released; Josh Hope (sp) (mid) released; Kenny Athiu (sp) (att) released; Matthew Sutton (gk) Melbourne City; Benjamin Carrigan (def) released;

Last season was historically poor for Victory and, after the bruising experience, the Royal Blues would be pumped up to bounce back strong. In 2019/20 missed out on the play-offs for first time in 8 years, had the fewest points, the most defeats and the longest winless run in the club history too. All this prompted the steady release of players from very early in the season and Victory started rebuilding their squad as early as last January when they let several regulars go. Also, for the post-lockdown fixtures in June-July appointed Grant Brebner as permanent manager. Brebner did well to steady the ship and give many teenagers senior debuts. Now for his first full season in charge he’ll be looking to implement his ideas and high-pressing style of play even better. In the off-season Victory parted ways with 3 more regulars, 1 from each position on the field, and only then they started rebuilding the squad based on Brebner’s liking. From the 10 new signings at least 8 are expected to be starting regularly and it would definitely be a much different Victory this term. Crocombe comes with the potential to become the team’s new number 1, while Ansell returns from unsuccessful spell in South Korea and he has a point to prove. Probably the most important new singing is centre forward Gestede who will be the main hope for goals up front. Brebner also spent many hours during off-season working with Traore, Rojas and Kruse so they avoid the long-term injuries that ruined their previous campaign. All-in-all the squad is small, but if everyone stays fit looking pretty strong. With no Asian Champions League to think about either, Victory will be fully focused on the A-League.

Target

Place in the play-offs is a must, with Victory probably having enough talent to challenge for top 4 finish.

Season Review

2019/2020

№10: Melbourne Victory

This was extremely difficult campaign for the proud Victory team that is used to challenge for silverware and not to scramble to avoid the wooden spoon. It turned out to be historically weak season for the Royal Blues who never have had so few wins and so few points in their history. From the start things didn’t look right with the new coach Marco Kurz and Victory opened the season with just 2 wins in the first 10 rounds (D3 L5). Kurz was eventually sacked in early January after 2:3 defeat vs. bottom-dwellers Mariners, but his replacement Salvachua couldn’t change anything and even before the COVID-break several regulars left the sinking ship. Salvachua himself and more star players departed during the 4-month break, including top scorer Toivonen and main goalkeeper Thomas. With 5 of those that were regulars early in the season no longer there when things resumed in July, Victory could hardly save any dignity under their caretaker coach Brabner. Eventually Victory finished 10 points adrift from the nearest team above them after losing 4 of the 5 matches since the restart. Chaotic running of the club, lack of quality amongst the youngsters given plenty of playing time, poor health for stars like Kruse and Nabbout all amongst main reasons for this awful campaign. Victory were quick to appoint Brabner permanently and give him incentive to start building new squad. With Kruse hoping to be back after missing the entire last campaign injured and after positive impact made by winter arrival Rojas Victory have pieces around which they can build decent team and it is hard to see next season being as poor as this one. The hunger to return to the play-offs will be huge too!