It was a Melbourne derby for the ages, with both teams’ intent encapsulated in a frenetic final seconds when players threw their bodies on the line in a chaotic goalmouth scramble.
A 2-2 draw at AAMI Park was a fitting result, leaving the derby deadlocked in the head to head record (12 wins apiece and 10 draws). Two more duels are scheduled (March 12 and April 9), and potentially a third on May 28.
That’s the date of the 2021/22 Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final and a repeat of this Melbourne derby is not beyond the realms – a season after they were separated by 30 points, 54 goals and 11 spots on the ladder.
The most recent expansion clubs Western United and Macarthur FC have got off to a flyer on the pitch, and Sydney FC can’t be written off.
But the duel between Tony Popovic and Patrick Kisnorbo’s sides was epic, underlining both teams’ credentials as bona fide title contenders.
THE VICTORY REBUILD
The Popovic revolution has taken place at breakneck speed. Three wins, one draw and one loss, with ample individual and collective improvement left in this team – led by stoppers Matthew Spiranovic, Roderick Miranda and winger Chris Ikonomidis, who’ve played just seven games between them.
The board and new managing director Caroline Carnegie have made bold calls, provided stability and adopted common sense decision-making – such as scrapping the profitable five games at Marvel Stadium to make AAMI Park their permanent home.
The results and performances are key, and the fans loved what they saw on Saturday. They have clearly embraced the club’s bold new plans and seeing the Victory faithful in full voice on Saturday, as they have been all season, was a sight to behold.
Popovic, who was aware of the enormity of the rebuild and released 11 players in the off-season with just three from last season starting on Saturday while bringing in an entire new coaching staff, certainly appreciated the fans’ support.
He made a bee-line for them at the Swan Street end after the match, with boisterous and popular Croatian goalkeeper Ivan Kelava leading the players.
CITY CLICKED
City relished facing an opponent that had a crack, and the dramatic final moments was a snapshot of the energy, desperation and physicality of the match, as attackers swung their legs in an attempt at a late winner, and desperate defenders throwing their bodies on the line.
They very match encapsulated the spirit of their respective coaches back in their playing pomp, with Popovic and Kisnorbo two of the most aggressive, physical players to ever feature in the Socceroos defence.
But more accurately, it reflects how highly the players regard their coaches and the intensity of Saturday’s derby, which was undoubtedly one of the greatest derbies of the past 11 years.
Olyroos Marco Tilio and Nathaniel Atkinson added spark to City’s line-up, with the former delivering the sublime cross for Andrew Nabbout’s goal and Atkinson producing a top all-round display at right-back.
Maclaren and Nabbout getting on the scoresheet – each netting their second of the campaign – will do their confidence wonders, with Mathew Leckie a late precautionary omission.
City’s squad is deep and Maclaren’s stoppage time sending off – the first of his career for which he apologised on social media – could see Italian signing Manuel Pucciarelli or Stefan Colakovski get an opportunity.
Kisnorbo’s team has a quick turnaround before facing Wellington Phoenix in Wednesday night’s FFA Cup match in their debut at their new Casey Fields training base, where they have moved this season.
AUSSIE FLAVOUR
Another Saturday night positive was the influence of the Australians.
Of the 29 players who featured, 23 were Aussie – with City using just two foreigners (Florin Berenguer – who if who want to know how to pronounce his name, listen to Channel Ten commentator Robbie Thomson) and Nuno Reiss. Victory had Kelava, Roderick, Rai Marchan and goalscorer Francesco Margiotta.
It was a nice balance between 2014 and 2018 World Cup and 2015 Asian Cup Socceroos like Maclaren, Nabbout, Spiranovic and late sub Robbie Kruse, and future prospects like Tilio, Atkinson, Connor Metcalfe, Nick D’Agostino, Jake Brimmer and Nishan Velupillay.
The goals were quality. Brimmer’s street-smart and perfectly weighted release of Margiotta would have caught many defences off guard.
City’s equaliser was high-calibre, and finished with three world-class touches. Berenguer cleverly nicked a pass intended for Rai inside City’s half, with the Frenchman’s penetrating run releasing Nabbout. Bang, bang, as he and Maclaren penetrated Victory’s defence – five players were back – with a superb first touch pass and finish respectfully.
Nabbout’s goal – to put City 2-1 up – was equally as quality. The passage included Portuguese stopper Reis releasing Atkinson, who expertly broke free of three Victory players, released Tilio and the left-footer dinked in a delightfully weighted, pacey cross that landed on a platter for the Socceroos winger and gave Victory’s defence little hope.
D’Agostino’s 80th minute equaliser epitomised the frenetic finish. With experienced stopper Curtis Good bearing down, he still managed to get enough power on his shot, running at full pace, to catch keeper Tom Glover off guard as the ball trickled over the line.
The stoppage time goalmouth scramble was extraordinary.
Both teams have significant improvement in them, and the next derby promises to be as intense.
