Melbourne Victory defender Rody Vargas says the Hyundai A-League leaders are not fearful of Fred as they prepare to come up against the hero of their 2006/07 championship winning team for the first time this week.
The Brazilian star will play the second of a six-match guest stint for Wellington Phoenix on Friday night against the Victory in New Zealand and his presence has ensured the clash will be one of the most eagerly anticipated of the season.
Fred, who scored four goals in 20 appearances for Melbourne in his only season with the club two seasons ago, famously laid on four goals for Archie Thompson in the Victory’s legendary 6-0 demolition of Adelaide in the 2006/07 A-League grand final.
He then left the club to join American Major League Soccer outfit DC United and snubbed the Victory to sign for a guest stint with the Phoenix during the off-season for his club in the United States.
But while Vargas is aware of the threat Fred will pose on Friday night, he denied the team would pay their former team-mate extra special attention.
“He is a quality player but he is only one player,” Vargas said of Fred on Monday.
“We have got to look after 11 players and don’t forget they have got (in-form striker Shane) Smeltz and others that can be just as damaging so we will be focusing on the entire squad and not just on one player.”
Despite sitting three points clear on top of the table this season, Vargas admitted the Victory still miss their former Brazilian playmaker.
“He has been sorely missed not just as a player but for his personality around the club because a lot of the boys took a liking to him so it will be good to catch up with him (after the game).”
Melbourne Victory midfielder Grant Brebner, who partnered Fred in the centre of the park for much of that championship winning season two years ago, is equally looking forward to seeing his former team-mate on Friday night.
“It’s going to be great to see the wee man again,” he said of the Brazilian star.
“It will be a different feeling playing against him because he is certainly a hard player to play against but we can only worry about ourselves and if Melbourne Victory turns up and plays well, it (the result) will take care of itself.”
Melbourne Victory skipper Kevin Muscat also wished Fred the best in his guest stint, denying the 29-year-old left the club on bad terms following his move to the United States.
“Good luck to Fred, he was a superb player and an asset for us and he was a gentleman – he left this football club on good terms and good luck to him,” Muscat said.
“I am looking forward to coming up against him this week and I hope he has an impact for Wellington but not against us this week.”
