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In his pre-match monologue, Simon Hill described the Big Blue as the A-League’s Manchester United versus Liverpool. He wasn’t wrong. The match had all the life of its Premier League counterpart at Anfield a week ago.
For the fixture’s hype and colourful past, it failed to deliver anything of substance to the neutral.
Not that the Victory fans inside the Etihad Stadium would have minded. They’ve been far more enterprising throughout the rest of the season, but with just five points separating leaders Western Sydney from fifth-placed Sydney, performance can occasionally be sacrificed for a result.
The Sky Blues certainly approached the match with that same mentality. We’ve witnessed Graham Arnold’s stubborn approach away from home in recent weeks, and it’s one that yielded yet another derby win last weekend.
Though they had been ahead at Pirtek Stadium, Sydney seemed content to settle for a point, Shane Smeltz’s late winner was a mere bonus.
The same game plan looked effective yesterday. An early chance to Besart Berisha appeared to set the tone for another fast-paced battle, but Sydney found their structure and the tempo slowed down from there.
Their gap between defence and midfield was minimal at most times, particularly when Victory were in possession, with the Sydney backline camped inside their own box and Mickael Tavares stationed just outside the box to stifle any balls into the area.
Sydney’s shape would have had the tactical purists frothing and Victory fans frustrated. For much of the first half there was no way through, and when in possession, the option was more often than not a hoofed ball up to Matt Simon.
There was no real attempt from Graham Arnold’s men to play stylish football, and they weren’t feigning it at all. They were in Melbourne to get a point, maybe nick all three if a chance presented itself.
To the chagrin of most football fans, the parked bus approach was working for 45 minutes at least. Perhaps a sign of that was Gui Finkler’s studs-up challenge on Simon, which saw him fortunate to escape a red card if you saw the right replay, or justly yellow carded if you consider Strebre Delovski was watching in real time.
The odd time Sydney did push higher up the field and were dispossessed, they were quick to track back and snuff out a counter attack – case in point, Rhyan Grant’s brilliant sliding tackle on a runaway Kosta Barbarouses.
Arnold shouldn’t be criticised for his methods. It’s a similar mindset that led Chelsea to the Premier League title last season. A 1-0 win was plenty to appease Jose Mourinho, whose side was often accused of playing boring football once they had a lead.
It can be a championship-winning formula if employed correctly – settle for a draw in tricky away matches, focus on getting points at home.
Sydney have lost just once at the Allianz Stadium this season – 4-2 to Victory in November. If they win the premiership or get to the grand final by playing the odd conservative away game, Arnold will be lauded.
But the style isn’t without its flaws. Sydney have been criticised for being too reactive at times, even if they’ve only conceded first on three occasions this campaign.
It was the case against Victory. It wasn’t until Matt Jurman’s own goal that Sydney kicked into gear and actually looked like they would have had more success backing themselves and taking the game to the Victory.
Indeed, they were almost gifted a goal early in the second half when Simon flicked on a throw-in to the back post, where any Sydney player trailing would have had a tap in. But there was no one else willing to venture that high up the pitch, lest Victory break.
Just moments before the decisive goal, Seb Ryall picked out substitute Shane Smeltz brilliantly, his header going just wide.
And had Sydney played the whole 90 minutes with the intent they played the final 10 minutes, they might’ve taken something from the game.
Perhaps it’s a benefit of hindsight, but sitting deep and soaking up the pressure rarely works against a potent attack like Victory’s. Kevin Muscat’s side needed a helping hand this time around, but they pride themselves on always finding a way through.
Arnold’s style is divisive – he’s hailed as a genius when Sydney win playing the safe way, derided when it fails.
The first 45 minutes proved stubbornness can be successful, but so can taking risks every so often.
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