After a cavernous yet poor commencement to the season, Melbourne Victory finally scored its first goal of the new campaign, taking just over five hours of play to accomplish the feat.
Archie Thompson broke the deadlock with some individual brilliance on the stroke of half-time, to ultimately lead the Victory to a 2-1 triumph against Wellington Phoenix away from home at the hostile Westpac Stadium.
Despite claiming an impressive result against an opponent deemed to be a formidable force on their home turf, it is the style of play that has got supporters, accompanied with the football community, gossiping.
Victory are depicted as the ‘glamour club’ of Australian football, not only for its glowing on-field success – two championships and three grand final appearances in the competition’s six-year history – but for its passionate, yet widespread fan base, and notable professionalism off the field, being one of the select clubs to be financially stable and consistently turning profits, or in any case, break-evens.
Over the years, football has matured vastly, and while results will always be an important conundrum, playing style has arguably taken precedence, as fans desire an attractive, fluid game-plan, implemented from the coaching hierarchy.
New Victory boss Mehmet Durakovic has been under immense scrutiny in the early stages of his Melbourne tenure. The lack of fluency, in conjunction with the team’s inability to realise its surfeit of attacking talent has got many fans offside, calling for his head after a handful of games.
Although, when we analyse the situation more thoroughly, there is really no surprise that this scenario has arisen.
Taking charge of the highest profile club in the nation not only demands colossal expectations, it also does not allow any room for failure.
Victory prides itself on being the best in all facets of the game. The acquisition of Harry Kewell – arguably the most talented footballer Australia has produced – was a perfect illustration of the club’s lofty ambitions, in company with the image portrayed on the blue and white of Melbourne.
Mediocrity isn’t a part of the formula to success, and the new board headed by chairman Anthony Di Pietro realises that its fervent fanbase are less than forgiving when the outcome doesn’t fall in their favour.
With an array of attacking talent at Durakovic’s disposal thus far in its four competitive outings, Victory has been a major disappointment.
Their complete lack of cohesion in the attacking third, has been painfully manifested for their ardent supporters. While the backline has only conceded two goals, it has the custodian Ante Covic to thank, performing outstandingly on the last line of defence.
A deficient structure is evident, with players swapping and changing positions after each fixture. Kewell has been deployed in several positions – sitting in behind the strikers, as a lone forward and out wide on the left – while players in the vein of Archie Thompson and Carlos Hernandez also follow suite.
The tactical approach possessed by Melbourne appears to be in complete contrast to Brisbane Roar’s.
Against the Phoenix last week, Victory, on occasions were almost unwatchable. The simple instructions of playing the ball out from the back, ball retention and opening up into space were not apparent.
On several occasions, when entering the attacking half, there appeared to be minimal patience. Rather than finding an avenue through to goal, several ‘miracle’ type balls were played to nil effect.
This wasn’t a team collectively working together, nor attempting to. It was palpable that individual brilliance would be the team’s only saviour, and so the ever reliable Thompson, stepped up to whip his craft and undeservingly put the visitors ahead.
In saying this, Victory did improve marginally in the second period, however not to the standards that enthusiasts have come to expect from its star-studded line-up.
In bleak contrast, Brisbane Roar exhibited why they are the most revered team in the A-League, dismantling Adelaide United 7-1 last Friday night.
Despite the hefty trouncing, the scoreline wasn’t the only basis for the Roar’s appraisal. The style utilised to exploit the opposition was well documented.
Brisbane coach Ange Postecoglou has employed a football ethos which is enhancing the landscape of Australian football. His beliefs construct a heavy reliance on defensive organisation, playing the ball out from the back, holding onto possession for extended periods – while using it in an effective manner – tiring out and frustrating the opposition when in control of the ball and working effortlessly to regain possession once it has been lost.
There is no secret that these constituents have been the key to the Roar’s success. The current 32-game unbeaten streak is an exceptional illustration of how an efficient coaching methodology, blended with a strewed crop of players willing to prosper can harvest success.
One must wonder what structure or football philosophy Durakovic is attempting to implement at the re-branded Victory?
In spite of the results thus far (five points from a possible 12), it is the unattractive, stale product on the pitch that has got devotees anxious.
When we examine the Victory squad, on paper at least, it is perhaps the most talented squad to ever grace the competition, and yet, the football on display isn’t acceptable for the players at its disposal.
Yes, it is only four matches into the season; it would be uncanny to draw conclusions at such a preliminary phase. However, this deteriorating trend could possibly have dramatic ramifications to the club’s image and football prowess if this uninspiring inclination continues.
Team chemistry is an imperative ingredient to building a fearsome outfit, and while individual flair may occasionally win on the day, it is certainly not a proposal for long-term success.
Of late, Real Madrid, while one of the most prominent and powerful clubs in world football, is notorious for its inability to reach its full potential, despite the profusion of ability engulfing the Spanish club.
If Victory doesn’t address the issue of team unity and camaraderie on the pitch, then their representation will be marred by a fruitless incapability to deliver their budding aptitude on the pitch.
In the end, the buck stops with Durakovic; if he cannot get his team to play an attractive, yet articulate brand of football, reminiscent of Brisbane’s, then it is time for the club to find a candidate who can bring Melbourne to the next level of greatness.
This week’s encounter with A-League front-runners Brisbane Roar will be an intriguing clash for a variety of reasons. The million-dollar question: how will Victory’s tactical approach measure up to the benchmark in the competition?
Melbourne aspires to be renowned as the force of Australian football on and off the pitch – being the first team to claim the Roar’s scalp in 33 attempts will take it one step closer to realising the club’s dynasty.
Courtesy of Goal Weekly. Follow Robbie on Twitter @RobertDiFabio
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