These two sides were talked up as title favourites before the season started and if they do harbour ambitions of being champions then they dare not lose this one.
Date: Saturday October 13, 2012
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEDT, 6.45pm local
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Head-to-head:
Played: 21, Wins: Brisbane 7, Victory 10, Draws: 4
Previous encounter:
Brisbane 3-2 Melbourne Victory, February 18, 2012
Form:
Past five matches:
Brisbane Roar: LLWLL
Melbourne Victory: WWDLL
The Game:
These two sides were talked up as title favourites before the season started and if they do harbour ambitions of being champions then they dare not lose this one. In the history of the A-League, no side that has lost the first two matches have gone on to win any silverware.
This match was already big enough with Victory coach Ange Postecoglou heading back to his former club but after both sides lost their opening-round fixtures it has taken on even greater significance.
The Roar will be hoping full-back Ivan Franjic (groin) and Brazilian winger Henrique (heel) will be available after the pair missed the loss to Perth last weekend. Jack Hingert and Nick Fitzgerald could make way if the injured pair are passed fit.
The Victory have selection problems of their own with Archie Thompson, Mark Milligan and Marco Rojas all on international duty.
The big issue:
Brisbane Roar – Taking their chances. There were plenty of question marks over how the Roar would go after the departure of Postecoglou, but what we saw in the game against Glory was more of the trademark fluent passing game and sweeping attacking movements.
Rado Vidosic has kept things fairly similar with the Roar’s game which should ensure they remain the team to beat. The only thing missing against Perth was the finishing in front of goal which resulted in the eventual 1-0 defeat.
Vidosic will be hoping the likes of Besart Berisha, Mitch Nichols and Thomas Broich can find their shooting boots in time for kick-off at Suncorp Stadium.
Melbourne Victory – Mistakes at the back. With Postecoglou eager to implement the same style of play in Melbourne that he did with the Roar, it was no surprise to see Victory trying to pass their way out from the back last weekend.
Unfortunately, his players didn’t quite get things right in Round 1 with both the Heart’s goals coming from a loss of possession in their own half.
You have to applaud Postecoglou for wanting his side to play the right way but they will need to cut out the errors if they are to consistently win matches.
The game breaker:
Thomas Broich – The classy German has a slightly different role this season under Vidosic but he is still equally as important to the Roar’s chances.
Broich played in a more central position last weekend and while they didn’t start the season with a win, there were signs that the move will work. It allows the 31-year-old to have a free role and his combination with Nichols and Berisha is sure to lead to goals for the Roar.
Victory midfielders Leigh Broxham and Jonathan Bru will need to keep a tight leash on Broich if the visitors are any hope of coming away from Brisbane with a win.
Prediction: Roar 2-0 Victory
Brisbane fans will never forget what Postecoglou did for them but he will be public enemy No.1 for 90 minutes at least on Saturday night. If anyone should know how best to exploit the Roar’s weaknesses it is the new Victory boss.
Both sides possess tremendous attacking ability but if there’s one area the Roar look stronger it’s in defence. And that could well make the difference. With Thompson, Rojas and Milligan also absent it will be extremely difficult for the visitors to come away with anything from this one.
