Interim Brisbane Roar Head Coach Luciano Trani admits he ‘couldn’t recognise’ his side during their record 8-1 loss to Melbourne City, labelling it an ‘unacceptable performance.’
Trani was placed in interim charge of the club following the departure of head coach Ross Aloisi, who opted to leave the Roar in favour of a move overseas.
“It’s been a challenging week, I’ll be honest,” said a dejected Trani post-match. “Unfortunately for us it’s an unacceptable performance.
“To lose by 8-1, for us, it just can’t happen. It’s something, a result, we can’t recognise.”
Brisbane’s night began to take shape in the 10th minute of the contest at AAMI Park when Curtis Good headed City in front before the Queenslanders found themselves 3-0 down at the break.
A second-half barrage from City as club captain Jamie Maclaren sealed his hat-trick, saw the home side eventually romp to an 8-1 victory, equalling a record win for an Isuzu UTE A-League side while simultaneously handing Brisbane their biggest loss in club history.
“We’re in a process at the moment,” continued Trani. “I think we have to work through the challenges that we have at the club.
“The club doesn’t want to hide away from the reality of where we are but we are prepared to do whatever we can to improve our situation, on and off the field.”
MATCH REPORT: Maclaren makes A-Leagues history as Melbourne City put EIGHT past Brisbane Roar in record-setting night
That record-breaking loss made it three defeats on the bounce for Brisbane, who could well find themselves outside the top-six come the end of the round.
“We’re in a competition that we always believe that we can be part of, in that highest part of the competition,” said Trani when discussing their finals hopes. “And being in the finals, the top six for us would be a fantastic result.”
However, while this is certainly a night all involved with the club will look to erase from their memories, Trani remains committed to the principles of play, laid down by his predecessor Ross Aloisi, which has seen them record four victories so far this season.
“We’ve had some opening results which have been bright and we’ve played football that at times can take a risk,” he said.
“But we have made a conscious decision that we’re going to continue to play this way, so whether it’s hardheaded or whether it’s wrong or whether it’s right, we believe that if we want to get a football team that wants to enjoy football, we have to be on the front foot…”
However there was one highlight according to Trani, on what was otherwise a very dark evening for the Roar, and that was the performance of 16-year-old Rylan Brownlie.
“For me, one of the small highlights was Rylan Brownlie, scoring his first goal in the A-League,” said Trani.
“He typifies what we are looking for for a Queenslander to represent Brisbane Roar.
“He’s got so much potential, hunger and the desire, that we want to make sure that holds itself where we want to target those players to play for Brisbane Roar. Credit to him for today.”
Next up for the Roar is a home clash with Sydney FC on January 6 before they then face Newcastle Jets at Allianz Stadium on Sunday January 14 as part of Unite Round.
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