Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat feels his A-League side have been disrespected by Sydney FC counterpart Graham Arnold.
As the Terry Antonis selection debate swirled, Muscat threw up another bone of contention that would add further spice to Saturday’s ‘Big Blue’ in Sydney.
Arnold last week opined the Sky Blues had more room to improve this season than fellow undefeated sides Victory and Adelaide United.
“Melbourne Victory are close to their best, and I think we have got a lot to go,” he said after his side held Adelaide to a scoreless draw.
Muscat took umbrage and opted to make it public a day before the two rivals meet at Allianz Stadium.
“Arnie suggested that we’ve got no improvement in us, which I thought was a little bit disrespectful,” he said after Friday’s training session.
“So he’s the manager of both sides?
“There’s no doubt they hung in there against Adelaide last week, and credit to them.
“They hung in there, that’s all they did and they got a point.
“But it’s all irrelevant now anyway – it’s a new game.”
Muscat suggested he was comfortable his side had opened their campaign with three wins and two draws, but added a lot of work had to be done over the next few months.
“We’re certainly not getting carried away,” Muscat said.
Victory have been left with a threadbare squad due to international commitments and injury, but Muscat confirmed Besart Berisha and Gui Finkler would be right to go on the weekend.
“I don’t think anyone’s ever fully fit, but they’re fit,” he said.
Muscat also lashed Football Federation Australia (FFA) for approving the new surface in Newcastle, which Victory played on last Saturday.
“100 per cent,” he replied when asked if FFA needed to re-evaluate what their standards were.
“I don’t want people thinking I’m whingeing but, if we’re honest, the surface wasn’t good enough for football.
“The injuries we copped were direct impact. Who’s to say that wouldn’t have occurred if people could hold their footing better?
“Was the safety of the players at risk? – possibly.
“Players couldn’t train this week. A lot of players couldn’t train because they were sore coming off that surface.”
Muscat suggested the pitch would be up to scratch for the Asian Cup, but was stunned nobody had tested it out properly before an A-League game.
“If someone can convince me that was safe – well, there’s no chance,” he said.
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