New boss Carlos Salvachua says in time his side will play a style of football designed to please the Melbourne Victory faithful.
The Spaniard took over from Marco Kurz as head coach of the club last week after assisting the German throughout the start of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Season.
Salvachua says it’s not going to be easy to instill any instant and noticeable changes in the way his side play, with the heavily congested fixture schedule depriving him of important time on the training track to implement his style.
But the 46-year-old has assured the Victory fans his side will play on the front foot in an entertaining and attacking fashion once he manages to imprint his philosophies on his playing group.
PREVIEW: Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC
NEWS: Jets receive Hoolahan boost as Boogaard gets set to return against Phoenix
“For me it’s really important to control the matches,” Salvachua told a-league.com.au.
“Sometimes it’s pressing high, sometimes it’s dropping, but always try to be the protagonists during the game.
“We’re involved in the game, and people are coming to the stadium because they love football.
“We have to give them back something; they spend time, they spend money… to come here every week as well as travelling with the team.
“We need to send them back something to make them happy.”
.jpg)
Salvachua took over from Kurz ahead of Victory’s Round 15 clash with Adelaide United, which they ultimately lost 1-0.
They head into Round 16 in eighth place – three points off Adelaide United in sixth – and are quickly approaching a blockbuster clash with league leaders Sydney FC at AAMI Park on Friday night (7:30pm AEDT).
Although his ultimate goal is having his side getting results while playing attractive football, Salvachua says the immediate focus will be picking up points while the fixtures come at them thick and fast.
“I think this club’s focus is of course that we want to win, but the focus as well is winning in a good way, to try to involve everyone at this part of the club in this process,” he said.
“The attitude of the players is good, at the end we have a group of winners in the dressing room.
“They know that now we have to try and improve some things.
“They know we have no time to train especially in this tough month as well as in the next, (so) we have to use the games to improve our game more.
“Training for me is my key; unfortunately now I have no time that I would like to spend five or six days training with the team, but okay, it’s not possible now. We’ll find time in the next weeks.”
REPORT: Five-star Victory thrash Bali United to keep ACL dream alive
SIGNING NEWS: Perth add Margush to goalkeeping crop
The hype surrounding Salvachua’s appointment has come and gone amongst the current comings and goings of players and managers league-wide in what has been a tumultuous January.
But Salvachua himself is savouring the moment; a moment which saw him become the leader of a club which he sees more like a family.
“I understand how important this club is in the city,” he said.
“I know the history of the club, and for me one of the best things that I feel when I arrived here was to be a part of the family.
“This club is a family and now I am really, really proud to be a part of this family as a head coach.”
Click here to buy tickets
Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC
Friday, 24 January 2020
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
Venue: AAMI Park
Broadcast: FOX Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
