Instead of throwing down the gauntlet, Brisbane coach John Aloisi has launched a charm offensive ahead of their A-League reunion with fiery ex-teammate Besart Berisha.
The ladder-leading Roar’s coach said they would not back down in a fight against lively striker Berisha in Friday night’s AAMI Park clash with Melbourne Victory.
But Aloisi was more content singing the former Roar talisman’s praises ahead of their first game this season against the stuttering Victory.
While the Victory have mustered just one win in their past seven games, Aloisi believed Berisha’s form was better than last season’s championship-winning effort.
“Besart is one of the best strikers that has been in the A-League,” he said.
“I actually think he is in better form this season than last season.
“People say Victory haven’t been going so well but he has been popping up and scoring important goals as he normally does.
“It’s a good challenge.”
The stage had been set for a controversial contest in the wake of Berisha’s exchange with Roar defender Daniel Bowles in the Victory’s 1-0 win last season at Suncorp Stadium.
Aloisi said they had not spoken about Berisha’s in-your-face approach but admitted defenders Jade North and Bowles knew what to expect from the Albanian international who left Brisbane in 2014.
“We haven’t spoken about it. We haven’t told them to get into Besart’s ear or stand up to him.
“But I don’t think our players back away anyway.
“They show when there is a fight on – as in a hard contest – they are there.
“I don’t expect them to back away if Besart is in their face – they know what to expect from Besart anyway.
“I am glad Bowlesy is looking forward to it.”
Roar marquee Thomas Broich on Thursday almost sounded sick of talking about Berisha.
“Still? It’s been two years now,” he laughed.
“But he is such a great competitor – he is in such great form.
“Playing them away from home is one of the biggest challenges you can face in the league.
“But we have won there before and we want to do it again.”
Aloisi passed Spanish import Corona fit after he battled in last round’s 0-0 draw in Wellington and included five-time title-winning ‘keeper Michael Theo on the bench after a lengthy injury.
The Victory have not lost to the Roar since the 2013-14 finals.
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