Kevin Muscat believes the club’s culture was the reason an under-manned Melbourne Victory came away with a superb away win over Sydney FC on Saturday night.
Despite having as many as six players unavailable through suspension or on international duty, Victory surged to a gripping 4-2 win at Allianz Stadium.
Coming from behind on two occasions, last season’s champions showed all their class and fighting qualities to continue their recent dominance over the Sky Blues.
Berisha fires brace as Victory stun Sky Blues
“We didn’t come here to make a statement, we came here to perform and on the night I thought we were exceptional,” a delighted Muscat said.
“There was a lot of talk during the week, fortunately enough for us we’ve built a culture where we leave our talking for the park.
“It was an exceptional night for us tonight, a great win. I think that’s seven games now they haven’t beaten us.
“Three of the goals we scored were outstanding goals,” the Victory boss added.
Victory’s goals came via a brace to marquee striker Besart Berisha, with Gui Finkler and substitute Kosta Barbarouses also pitching in either side of the break.
Always one to deliver on the big occasion, Berisha is enjoying a brilliant run of form at the moment and has found the net 13 times in his last 14 games in all competitions.
“No one gets a minutes peace when he’s around,” Muscat said of the Albanian attacker.
“You give him those opportunities and he took his two goals ever so well tonight. But it’s more than that from him, he brings so much more to the team.
“It’s everyone else behind him backing him up too. When he decides to press or when he’s making runs, we feed him and he’s an unbelievable focal point.
“He’s enjoying an unbelievable period at the moment.”
Ominously for opposition sides, Muscat believes Victory are only just “scratching the surface” into how good they can be.
Central Coast Mariners are the next side to try and stop the Big V, heading to AAMI Park on Thursday night.
