Melbourne Victory captain Kevin Muscat is expecting plenty of goals in Saturday night’s Hyundai A-League blockbuster against Sydney FC at the Telstra Dome.
There were no goals when the two traditional rivals met at Sydney Football Stadium in Round 1 this season, but there has been plenty of action between the combatants in previous matches.
In Round 21 last season the teams played out an entertaining 2-2 draw, while early on in the 2006/07 season, Melbourne produced a sensational performance to defeat Sydney 3-2 at home.
Given Melbourne is tied with Central Coast for the most goals scored this season and Sydney is third on that list, Muscat sees no reason why Saturday night’s clash won’t feature plenty of goalmouth action.
“At home we have played really well and scored quite a few goals so I can’t see this game against Sydney not being like the previous ones where there has been a lot of action,” Muscat said.
“These games traditionally have had some goals scored in them and hopefully that will be the case in front of a massive crowd on Saturday night.”
Despite the fact that they have managed just one win from its previous four matches, Melbourne still sits on top of the league table on goal difference from Adelaide United, with Sydney FC just two points adrift.
With so much at stake against Sydney, Melbourne could easily take a cautious approach into Saturday night’s game, but Muscat said his side won’t be changing anything.
“We won’t be with Ney Fabiano and Archie Thompson, but our approach will be the same,” Muscat said.
“We will try and get at them on every opportunity and put them on the back foot. I am looking forward to a very exciting game.”
And despite the fact that Sydney lost 2-1 to Perth last weekend, Muscat has no doubt that veteran coach John Kosmina will have his troops fired up for their clash.
“He (Kosmina) will come here and he will fire them up like he always does,” Muscat said.
“They will come here and try and take something away and in previous games they have tried to sit on things.”
“But we will be prepared.”
