Forget everything you’ve ever been told about crosstown football games, and watch Saturday night’s scoreless second-half in Melbourne. That’s all you ever need know about derbies – famous or otherwise.
Against any other team Melbourne Victory would probably have arrested their form slump, but such is the nature of derbies, everything goes to a higher level and players tend to do miraculous things.
Rarely does such a dominant display as Victory put together in the second half of Saturday’s game go unrewarded, but such was Thomas Sorensen’s resolve that nothing could be put past him. Sorensen seemed able to pull off any kind of world-class save, during what could only be described as an open assault on his goal.
Victory, on the other hand, along with their fanatical supporters, didn’t look one bit a side playing its third game in eight days. Their desire to overturn the scoreline was frantic; but for a desperate defensive display by City, Besart Berisha might have had a hat-trick.
Melbourne’s derby might not have the notoriety of other city’s, but it has the passion. Years ago, Victory supporters said City’s (who were then known as Heart) solitary purpose was to exist as a competitor for Victory in derbies. While it still might have that feeling off the park, it no longer applies on the pitch.
City’s triumph had much more purpose than they’ve ever shown. This wasn’t merely about beating Victory for the sake of beating Victory, this was about overcoming such dispersions to become an outright title contender – something they’ve never seemed likely to do before now.
Can can they continue their winning form post derby?
This one has hurt Victory, and more than just because it’s seen their form slump continue. Victory really wanted to win this game, it would have been the perfect platform to rebound from what’s been a difficult period.
Victory needed everything to go right, and in the second half that happened – the North Terrace was in full voice, which had players pushing well past their fatigue limit. But City learnt their lesson from the last derby, and made their point with plenty of spite.
Victory need to do some soul searching and possibly take a look at the transfer market. They aren’t travelling in the confines of A-League, and that’s going to be a problem when the AFC Champions League swings around.
As a final note, much has been made of the lack of big-name players in the A-League, but anyone watching this match or Victory’s loss against Western Sydney a week ago could tell you that the quality is high and the football has been breathtaking.
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