Brisbane will be looking to avenge their premiership failure last weekend as they welcome Melbourne Victory to Suncorp Stadium for the first of the elimination finals.
Besart Berisha returns
After sitting out one match through suspension, the Victory’s frontman returns this weekend thanks to a reduced sentence – one in which Wellington’s Andrew Durante believes the Albanian achieved by lying to the Match Review Panel about being choked. However, regardless of the circumstances, Melbourne will be thankful Berisha is available for selection given their toothless attack without him last weekend against the Roar. Heading to Suncorp Stadium where Victory were recently thrashed and Brisbane excel, fans and team mates alike will be hoping his suspension has him fired up, and determined to inflict pain on his former side when it counts.
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What have Brisbane learned?
Last weekend was painful for the Roar. Not only did they dominate from the outset at AAMI Park, but their inability to get past a youthful defence and an incredibly in-form Lawerence Thomas saw them lose the Premier’s Plate. With their defence putting in a solid 90 minutes, their midfield controlling the game and their attack proving dynamic and versatile, there is not too much to work on for John Aloisi. That said, they need to study the movement of Thomas and how to catch the keeper off-guard, as well as insure they do not underestimate Melbourne off the back of that performance, or their previous win. Otherwise overconfidence against the Victory could well be their undoing.
Will Kevin Muscat meddle with his side?
Although last round was not Melbourne’s best performance, the younger side Muscat fielded due to their increased schedule proved the Victorians have incredible depth. But with more experienced players in Ansell (injury), Berisha (suspension), Thompson, Barbarouses, Broxham, Delpierre and Georgevski (all promoted) returning to the squad, Muscat has the chance to field a much stronger side. Given the younger players somewhat proved themselves last round, it could be an opportunity for the Victory to risk the same lineup for a better chance at progressing to the AFC Champions League round of 16 – but as the team only just held on for the draw, a determined Muscat could be more inclined to risk injury and fatigue to progress to the league semi-finals.
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