The Roar's A-League Men expert tips and predictions: Semi-finals, first leg
Just four teams remain in the hunt for the 2023/24 A-League Championship and the action will be intense in the opening legs of the…
Melbourne Victory boss Kevin Muscat has called for a stern self-appraisal from his side as they look to ensure the defence of their A-League crown extends into the finals series.
After their 5-0 defeat in Brisbane and Perth’s 4-0 victory over the Central Coast Mariners, the defending champions lie in sixth place and look to set to battle last year’s grand final opponents Sydney FC for a place in the post-season.
Muscat insists after such a humbling defeat, and sorry domestic form of one win from their past seven games, he is not thinking about anything but ensuring his players have the right mental approach the next time they take the field.
“We’ve got to take a big deep breath and take a look at ourselves and ask if we gave our best – everyone included,” Muscat said.
“There was so much at stake to play so poorly … we’ve got to not worry about whether we finish in the six.
“Individually we have to make sure we’re prepared to play at our best and ask if we were prepared for the game.”
Victory face Suwon Bluewings on Tuesday, their third Asian Champions League game in four weeks, but Muscat does not believe physical fatigue was an excuse for their display at Suncorp Stadium.
“I’m not going to question the effort because we actually worked harder than we would have done if we’d stuck to what we were supposed to do,” Muscat said.
“If you make the right decisions and you prepare well you work a bit less – that’s the reality.
“We were making poor decisions and collectively the team structurally were all over the place.”
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Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.