Melbourne Victory
1
Match Complete
Western United FC
2
| 89' |  | T. Imai | ||
| S. Roux |  | 83' | ||
| 65' | | A. Diamanti | ||
| 57' | | M. Burgess | ||
| M. Basha | | 57' | ||
| 38' | | T. Uskok | ||
| A. Anderson | | 14' |
| 12 | Shots | 11 | ||
| 2 | On Target | 4 | ||
| 20 | Fouls | 10 | ||
| 6 | Corners | 4 | ||
| 3 | Offsides | 2 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
Melbourne Victory and Western United are going head to head in their first game back from isolation when they clash at Bankwest Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match commencing from 7:35pm (AEST).
Melbourne Victory is going into this clash with a new manager after Carlos Salvachua went back to Spain to be with his family during COVID-19.
Melbourne have announced Grant Brebner as their interim head coach until the end of the 2019-20 season. Brebner was most recently assistant coach to Salvachua and has won the A-League twice with Victory as a player.
However, Brebner faces a tough challenge, with his side’s two main forwards not playing for the rest of the season.
Ola Toivonen has announced he is returning to Sweden and sees the coronavirus as the perfect time to move back with his family. Robbie Kruse will miss the rest of the 2019-20 season due to a left knee injury sustained during a training session.
However, foreign defender Tim Hoogland is fit and ready to return, which will give them a much-needed boost for the remainder of the season.
Meanwhile, this is a must-win for Western United, who are contending for the top six.
Western United will have to fend off in-form Newcastle and Adelaide sides to make the finals and have a tricky last few games, playing Newcastle, Western Sydney Wanderers, Sydney FC and Melbourne City following this derby.
They have been boosted by the re-signing of star playmaker Alessandro Diamanti for an additional two years. Diamanti has been crucial on and off the field this season, having been appointed captain and supplying 12 goal contributions, including five goals and seven assists.
Western United have also signed 26-year-old Patrick Antelmi from Sydney United and 18-year-old Nicolas Milanovic from the Western Sydney Wanderers NPL side
However, they will be without another foreign star in Panagiotis Kone, who has moved back to Greece.
I expect Western United to run away with this game, and I am predicting a 2-0 win for the newest A-League team.
Remember to join The Roar at 7:35 (AEST) for live score updates and a blog of the match.
Game information
Kick off: 7:35pm (AEST)
Venue: Bankwest Stadium
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Betting: Melbourne Victory $2.40, Draw $3.60, Western United $3.00
Squads
Melbourne Victory
1.Matt ACTON (gk), 2.Storm ROUX, 4.James DONACHIE, 6.Leigh BROXHAM (c), 7.Kenny ATHIU, 9.Andrew NABBOUT, 13.Birkan KIRDAR, 15.Giancarlo GALLIFUOCO, 16.Josh HOPE, 17.Elvis KAMSOBA, 18.Migjen BASHA, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (gk), 21.Adama TRAORE, 23.Marco ROJAS, 24.Anthony LESIOTIS, 25.Brandon LAUTON, 26.Jay BARNETT, 31.Aaron ANDERSON, 34. Lleyton BROOKS, 43.Luis LAWRIE-LATTANZIO (2-4 to be omitted)
Western United
1. Filip KURTO (GK), 2. Aaron CALVER, 4. Andrew DURANTE, 5. Dylan PIERIAS, 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Valentino YUEL, 9. Apostolos STAMATELOPOULOS, 10. Steven LUSTICA, 11. Connor PAIN, 14. Max BURGESS, 15. Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, 17. Joshua CAVALLO, 18. Besart BERISHA, 19. Josh RISDON, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 22. Tomislav USKOK, 23. Alessandro DIAMANTI, 25. Luke DUZEL, 27. Jerry SKOTADIS, 30. Ryan SCOTT (GK). (2 to be omitted).
Jack George
Roar Guru
Thanks for tuning in everyone, and have a good weekend!
Jack George
Roar Guru
I think that they became worried and frustrated in midfield after being dominated in the first half. They left their lines too far open and allowed Diamanti and Burgess too much space in between the lines. I guess a quick fix from Grant Brebner was to commit fouls in midfield?
Nick Symonds
Guest
The Westgate Derby is turning into a good rivalry. Western United 3 wins - Melbourne Victory 0
Jack George
Roar Guru
Thanks for tuning in Coastyboi! Have a good weekend.
Jack George
Roar Guru
Match report: Western United have prevailed against Melbourne Victory in their first game back from isolation by two goals to one. Western United started strong, dominating the midfield and keeping possession craftily. They found their two attacking midfielders Diamanti and Burgess in good space but struggled to create any clear-cut chances in the first half. However, they found an opening in the thirty-eighth minute. Diamanti played a short corner to Connor Pain outside the Box. Burgess made a smart run into a pocket on the left of the box and crossed towards the far post. The cross appeared to be too far away from the goal but Tomislav Uskok wrapped his foot around the ball and clinically converted from just outside the six-yard box. Western United found a second goal in the fifty-seventh minute of play. Tomoki Imai played a dangerous cross towards the far post and found Connor Pain. Pain showed great awareness to chest the ball down to the onrushing Max Burgess. Burgess met the ball stunningly on the half volley from just inside the box and rifles it just inside the right post. Western United then dropped deep allowing Melbourne Victory to come at them. However, Victory struggled to find a way to beat Western’s heavy defence and it looked as if the game was done and dusted. However, in the eighty-third minute, some quick thinking from Marco Rojas after winning a corner found Storm Roux who’s stunning glancing header found the far post spectacularly. Melbourne Victory then went on the attack but just couldn’t take a chance and ended the game with a loss. In four days Victory plays the in-form Brisbane Roar while Western United face Newcastle Jets in eight days time. Final score: Melbourne Victory 1 Western United 2
Coastyboi
Guest
Was Victory’s large amount of fouls based on them taking more chances or recklessness, I wonder? He who dares wins.
Coastyboi
Guest
Cheers for the blog, Jack. Enjoy your night.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Max 'Nicola Berti' Burgess excellent.
Jack George
Roar Guru
Sorry, just saw this. Thanks for tuning in tonight!
Jack George
Roar Guru
FULLTIME! Western United beat Melbourne Victory here at Bankwest stadium! The match report will be out in ten minutes but in the meantime discuss your thoughts on the match! Melbourne Victory 1 Western United 2
Jack George
Roar Guru
90 + 2' Storm Roux fouls Connor Pain with just one minute remaining. Melbourne Victory 1 Western United 2
Jack George
Roar Guru
90 + 1' Nabbout finds Storm Roux in behind as they look for an equaliser. Melbourne Victory 1 Western United 2
89'
Jack George
Roar Guru
90 + 1' Western United keeping the ball in their attacking corner. Melbourne Victory 1 Western United 2
Jack George
Roar Guru
90' Western United looking for an outlet upfront and they will now spray balls long and allow the speedy Perias to make the most of what he can get. Melbourne Victory 1 Western United 2
Jack George
Roar Guru
89' Subsitution for Western as Besart Berisha is replaced by Dylan Perias up front. Melbourne Victory 1 Western United 2
Jack George
Roar Guru
89' Yellow card for Western United as Tomoki Imai cynically takes out Lawrie-Lattanzio. Melbourne Victory 1 Western United 2
Jack George
Roar Guru
88' Berisha finds Diamanti in behind and Calver overlaps but Diamanti just can't find him in behind. Melbourne Victory 1 Western United 2
Jack George
Roar Guru
87′ Western United struggling to string any passes together as they drop into a deep 5-4-1 defensive formation. Melbourne Victory 1 Western United 2
Jack George
Roar Guru
87' Lawrie-Lattanzio with a good drive into the box. He has looked really bright since joining the play. Melbourne Victory 1 Western United 2