Just how draining is it to play in the AFC Champions League? We’ll soon find out, when Melbourne Victory and Central Coast Mariners take to the pitch in their sudden-death A-League finals this weekend.
Watching the Spanish league highlights on Fox Sports this week, I was struck by the odd statement that Getafe were hoping to take advantage of their opponent Atletico Madrid’s “tiredness,” after the latter had been involved in midweek UEFA Champions League action.
What seemed strange about the statement – and quite honestly, the English language La Liga commentary is nothing short of hilarious at the best of times – is the simple fact that Atletico’s squad is so vastly superior in every way to that of their local rival.
Could a midweek fixture really make such a difference? Would Atletico simply collapse because they’d already played earlier in the week?
Naturally nothing of the sort occurred, as Atletico swatted aside their unloved neighbour on their relentless march towards the Spanish league title.
But the big difference between the A-League and Spanish football – of course – is the salary cap, which means that clubs like Victory and the Mariners can’t buy up the best talent in the league and simply park it on the bench, to bring out as required for ho-hum league fixtures.
Instead, as has often been the case in the ACL this season, we’ve actually seen Australian teams send out ‘understrength’ squads on the continent and hold back players in reserve for A-League duty.
But what does the notion of being understrength even mean?
I’ve always been a firm believer that football is a squad game and have never been overly perturbed by teams choosing to rotate players for certain fixtures, particularly when it affords young players a taste of first-team action.
That’s not going to happen this weekend, but it’ll be interesting to see how both Victory and the Mariners recover from their vastly different midweek experiences.
The Victorians, of course, are coming off a fantastic 2-0 win over defending Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande and will go into tonight’s Good Friday blockbuster against Sydney FC in the most buoyant of moods.
Even if they are fatigued from their midweek exploits, surely the result itself should give Victory a psychological edge?
Conversely, will the manner of Central Coast’s 1-0 defeat to FC Seoul on the back of a stoppage-time own goal from skipper John Hutchinson act as an added disadvantage to the Mariners?
Or will the results in midweek have absolutely no bearing on what are admittedly the two most important matches of the season to date for both clubs?
You’d have to think Victory will start strong favourites against their bitter rivals from Sydney, although stranger things have happened than a Sky Blues win before.
But the Mariners could be in a spot of bother against an Adelaide side which just renewed the contract of popular coach Josep Gombau.
Whatever transpires in the A-League this weekend, it’s nice to see all three A-League teams in with a genuine shot of progressing in the ACL.
Mariners defender Eddy Bosnar pulled no punches in an insightful chat with John Davidson for FourFourTwo during the week.
Bosnar, whose delivery is about as blunt as his approach to free-kicks, reckons Australian teams over-estimate the skills of their Asian opponents.
“We’re starting to learn how to play against these teams and we’re starting to think that, look, we have to be confident against them,” said the veteran defender.
“It’s not like you’re going to play against Barcelona. They’re Asian teams, they’re not as good as we think they are.”
It was a refreshingly honest statement from a player who has been there and done it in Asia, and one who probably can’t understand what all the ACL-related complaints are all about.
So will the continental competition have a bearing on the A-League title race? Or does adrenaline take over when it comes to finals football?
AL
Guest
Personally I think it has improved all three a league clubs in the ACL.
Bondy
Guest
Just off topic I can understand the Portuguese born Jose Mourinho speak English but cant understand the Scottish born Grant Brebner.
Sportfreak
Guest
Go you mighty Melbourne Rebels.
Mitch
Guest
Are YOU seriously claiming that the Melbourne Rebels or even that total joke the 'Storm' are within a bulls roar of Melbourne Victory in fan popularity??? If you are then give yourself an upper-cut because you would be a absolute GOOSE!
Bondy
Guest
On Yes they do most leagues throughout the world including Asia use salary capping generally pend's on how much capital can be raised throughout the league/s, tv revenue, sponsorships, gates ,being the primary driver for revenues etc . We're still quite a small football league here though. Correct me if I'm wrong lads.
onside
Guest
Do any other Asian teams have to work under a salary cap.
bill boomer
Guest
IMO the question should be "how will the dunny seat cup affect the ACL".
Bondy
Guest
Stevo Interesting Questions, I just did my fantasy A League I notice with the forwards section Ale is on 113 points his closes rival Neumann from Adelaide is on 92 points .Is that down to pen's taken possibly but he tops the list for strikers anyway.
fadida
Guest
AZ, here's such a gulf between the top 4-5 in the EPL and the rest that even with the extra commitments in cups and Europe they easily maintain the gap. This year is different because Liverpool have come from outside the leading pack, who all had other serious commitments (Arsenal, CL and FA cup, Chelsea, CL, City CL and League Cup, Man U, rubbish manager). Liverpool essentially pick the same team every game and it's making a huge difference. They also have much less depth than Chelsea and City. Injuries or extra commitments would have killed them off. Arsenal have had Walcott, Wilshire, Ramsey, the Ox and a number of other players injured for extended periods. Not Liverpool's fault, and should they win it they would be worthy winners. Lack of commitments, ironically due to lack of quality in previous squads has been key. Interesting to see how they go next season with CL commitments
Stevo
Guest
Will this be ADP last game? He has been a great servant to the game and to the HAL but Is he really needed in the HAL anymore or will he be a drongo next season as age catches up with him. There is not doubt he is not the force he was last year. Interesting questions all round. I am not expecting a huge crowd ( the Melbourne rebels rugby union team are playing at the same time in Melbourne) but anything over 30,000 would be pretty special. Good luck to both teams - my money is on Sydney!
Jacques
Guest
Victory will beat this Sydney team on a day's break.
Bondy
Guest
Az As Mou alluded to 2-3 months ago the big threat " everybody with him though " was the " fresh " one, Liverpool.
AZ_RBB
Guest
The same 3 or 4 teams have qualified for the UCL from England for the past 5 to 6 seasons. Liverpool's biggest opponent now is in the UCL semi finals. I'm not saying it's not difficult for those teams. But rather the fact some of these clubs are doing so well on 2 fronts is a testament to their quality.
fadida
Guest
Liverpool. That is the answer. No commitments apart from the league for most of the season. The other challengers had fingers in a number of pies, fatigued, rotating and flat post European commitments. As Fuss describes above (prior to it becoming cat-fight at least!) rest between games is crucial. Liverpool play Chelsea in THE key game, between two champions league semis. This gives them a massive advantage. Yes playing football is the dream job, well paid, glamorous etc, but the human body (and mind) needs rest. The Gods of Forced Rotation (or lack of in Liverpool's case) have conspired to put Liverpool in the box seat. Even in the EPL with bloated squads the backup are never of the same quality, plus there's an inevitable loss of cohesion with changes. Roar, by the same logic must be roaring (groan - double pun) favourites based on a) fresher players b) already being the best side.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
@ Bondy, more like a Sydney-Pitbull all over a Melburnian-Poodle tonight :)
Bondy
Guest
I think Fuss's getting out numbered here. Will SFC's Gaffa be there tonight ? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXGMWQPYTJw ).
Bondy
Guest
Wot Tinkler plays for the Knights wrong sport. Gui Finkler.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
@AVictory (lol) GCU who? Thanks for the memories, but I think we have all moved on. I'm now a SFC supporter (berth right).
Titus
Guest
It wasn't SFC who were "uncompetitive and pathetic" when the teams met this season.
Bondy
Guest
This is one of the more cleaner ones I could use (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_lyvKKc5lE). Good luck Gentleman this evening.