He struck up a formidable partnership with Thomas Broich in Brisbane; now Besart Berisha is sensing something similar with Melbourne Victory’s Gui Finkler as the trio prepare to face Juventus in the shirt of the Foxtel A-League All Stars.
The lethal Albanian striker had three hugely successful seasons at the Roar; the Berisha-Broich combination one of the most feared in the Hyundai A-League on the way to two championships together.
Now in new surrounds in Melbourne, Berisha is confident he’s found a new cohort to help him spearhead Victory in the Brazilian playmaker.
“I’m really glad that he is also with me here (in the Foxtel A-League All Stars camp). Finkler is a great midfield player,” Berisha told www.a-leagueallstars.com.au.
“We have Kosta Barbarouses also who is one that can make great passes but Finkler especially also is a great player, an intelligent player so I’m looking forward to (that combination).
“We can have some great combinations and I think it’s going to be a good season.
“I’ve settled in and my family love it there (in Melbourne). It’s a great city, very European and I’ve come into a club with a great culture and this is what I’m most happy about.”
The pair has been almost inseparable since they came into Foxtel A-League All Stars camp and have linked up well during training.
“I got along with (Berisha) very quickly and I think we can play some good football in the season,” Finkler said.
“He’s a good player and hopefully we can do as well as he did with Broich. Broich is a very good player as well so it’s easy to play with him.
“So far when we train together the combinations are good, but training is one thing and games are another. Hopefully we can do as we do in training in the game as well.
“We’re getting better every week so it’s exciting and we want to have a big season."
First task for the pair to complete though is battling the star-studded Juventus outfit at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night.
Finkler has been impressed with what he has seen from the Hyundai A-League’s best in training and has backed them to put on a show, despite the calibre of opponent in front of them.
“I think maybe the All-Stars will be on the other side,” the Brazilian said with a smile when referring to Juventus’ glamour squad.
“Some of them they just came from the World Cup, that’s another point that I’m so excited to play. Obviously you have to learn from that as well, they play a top-level football, they made 100 points last season, not every team can do it.
“They will be a strong side but hopefully we can play some good football as well. It’s going to be a very quick 90 minutes, the crowd is going to be massive as well. I just want to enjoy myself and try and learn as much as I can.”
The All Stars completed preparations for the clash with Juventus with a final training session on the pitch at ANZ Stadium on Saturday morning.
The FOXTEL A-League All Stars play Juventus at ANZ Stadium, Sydney on Sundy evening with the match to be broadcast live and exclusive on the Seven Network's 7Mate channel nationally.
