Keeping Alessandro Diamanti quiet is difficult at the best of times but Melbourne Victory skipper Josh Brillante is confident he can come out on top against the Western United skipper.
Brillante will play a key role in midfield in Boxing Day’s top-three A-League Men clash at AAMI Park, both on the ball and in terms of stifling evergreen playmaker Diamanti.
“We’re a little bit different style of players: him being more attacking, me defensive,” he said.
“So I guess I’ve just got to get stuck into him and keep running – make him chase me.
“Then when he’s got the ball, just close him down and be on his toes all the time.”
Brillante was determined to make his mark going both ways on Sunday.
“I’m hoping to get forward a bit more, I feel like I’ve got it in the tank,” he said.
“So it’d be nice to get forward and score a couple goals.”
Marco Rojas (knee knock) was forced off in Saturday night’s 2-2 derby draw with Melbourne City and eased into training on Tuesday, but Brillante is cautiously optimistic the brilliant winger will be fit for Sunday’s game.
Victory will hope to unlock Western United’s stingy defence to secure cross-town rivalry bragging rights for a second time this season.
Brillante was sidelined with a hamstring niggle when Roderick Miranda’s header from a set piece snatched a 1-0 win in Geelong first-up.
But since then United have won four consecutive games 1-0 to go second in the league ahead of the third-placed Victory.
“We’re full of confidence at the moment and the Boxing Day one is another big one and an exciting one, so we’re very excited and very ready to go,” Brillante said.
“They have done really well. They’re full of confidence as well so it’s going to be another exciting match.
“… Play well and usually goals come off the back of that. We’re hoping it’s not going to be a bit of a stalemate and boring for everyone – we don’t want that.
“It’s an exciting time of the year, so plenty of goals would be great.”
He also stressed the importance of avoiding concentration lapses after Victory conceded twice in four minutes against City.
“It’s not easy to be switched on for 90-plus minutes and control the game,” he said.
“Those are the moments that will go a long way to being champions.”
