Another enthralling Big Blue encounter between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory ended in a 4-2 win for the A-League’s reigning champions last night
Outside90’s Jackson Fanning takes a look at the best individual performances coming from both ends of the pitch.
Melbourne Victory
Danny Vukovic – 5: Solid performance, was not directly responsible for either goal but did not exactly look comfortable in the wet either.
Daniel Georgievski – 5: Had to deal with Gersbach all night and Ninkovic as he got more involved in the second-half, but his side held out so can’t be faulted too much. Got a little unlucky with Sydney’s first goal as Gersbach left him for dead.
Thomas Deng – 2.5: Struggled with the pace of the game in the first-half and looked unsteady with his touch and decision-making. It was his inability to clear the ball uncontested that directly lead to Sydney’s second goal. Was substituted for Barbarouses at halftime as Kevin Muscat reshuffled his side that struggled to cope with Sydney’s press early on.
Mattieu Delpierre – 7: A game of two halves for him. Looked lost and panicked initially with Deng, but composed and resolute with Leigh Broxham in the second-half. Also made a crucial last-ditch challenge on Shane Smeltz with the game locked at 2-2.
Dylan Murnane – 4.5: Might have a few Rhyan Grant nightmares over the coming days. Lost the ball too many times in the first-half and was another of the Victory backline that struggled to deal with Sydney’s high press in the. Settled into the game after the break.
Leigh Broxham – 8: Versatility came to the fore in this one. Started the game in midfield but was shifted to centre-half in a halftime reshuffle. Partnership with Delpierre was pivotal to resisting Sydney’s onslaught at the start of the second stanza.
Rashid Mahazi – 7: Defensively magnificent. Screened the back four in the second-half and forced Sydney to play in wider channels, but like many in the Victory outfit, could not gain any momentum going forward.
Oliver Bozanic – 5: Gave up possession on a number of occasions. Still waiting for him to have the big influence on this side, but played his role on the night.
Gui Finkler – 7.5: Was one of the sources of danger for the Victory. playing a right-winger role in the first-half in place of Barbarouses who could not start after international duties. His goal was clinical as Victory could not afford to go into the interval behind.
Fahid Ben Khalfallah – 6: Uncharacteristically quiet at times, but looked his dangerous self on the counter. Most of Victory’s play came down their right-side.
Besart Berisha – 9: Tthis man just loves the big occasion. The Albanian was the best on the park and did not stop all night, both in attck and defensively. Showed his power and explosiveness with his first goal and then his agility and finesse with his second.
READ MORE: A-League – What We Learned – Sydney FC 2 Melbourne Victory 4 [VIDEO]
Substitutes
Kosta Barbarouses – 7: Was a little lucky to get his goal but well taken in the end. Came on at halftime to help the Victory transition and definitely had an effect. His introduction and Muscat’s tactical change are probably what got the Victory over the line.
George Howard – N/A
Jess Makarounas – N/A
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