What We Learned – Melbourne Victory 3 Melbourne City 0

What We Learned – Melbourne Victory 3 Melbourne City 0 [VIDEO]

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Melbourne Victory are headed to the A-League grand final after beating crosstown rivals Melbourne City in a clinical display at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Leading Victory goal scorer Besart Berisha got the title favourites off to the perfect start when he nodded home a cross from point blank range, exposing the loose City defence. Kosta Barbarouses added further pain for the fans in red, white and blue when he volleyed home his side’s second goal in the 30th minute.

City threatened late in the first and into the second half, with several chances falling to the likes of David Williams, Harry Novillo and Patrick Kisnorbo. However, it was Archie Thompson who would seal the Victory’s grand final berth late in the piece, after replacing Leigh Broxham in what could prove to be his penultimate appearance for the club.

The world game is gaining momentum down under

In what was perhaps the most anticipated game in A-League history, this edition of the fierce Melbourne rivalry saw 50,000 fans create an electrifying atmosphere in the stands of Etihad Stadium. The Victory fans produced a spine-tingling rendition of Stand By Me just before kick-off, during which the City fans carried out  a wonderful display of their club colours, accompanied by a banner which read – “Our colours, your nightmare”.

Despite the contest seemingly killed off early, City were more than competitive and could have won the game twice over if their luck in front of goal had been different. Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas made a number of fantastic saves to deny the Manchester City owned club passage to a maiden grand final appearance.

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Victory clinical in front of goal

Despite losing the shot count 14-17, the Premiers put on a ruthless display in front of goal, scoring thrice from a total of six shots on target. The title favourites exposed a number of gaps in the young City defence, which looked shaky from the get go. This was evident in the opening minutes when Tando Velaphi received a poor back pass, resulting in an early corner to the Vics.

The possession statistics were extremely even, with City having the slightest of advantages (Victory 49%-51% City). The usual suspects were what got Victory over the line, with the likes of Berisha, Ben Khalfallah and Barbarouses combining well in front of goal all night.

It was not their greatest performance, but the Boys in Blue were emphatic in their 3-0 win. Head coach Kevin Muscat will take great confidence into next week’s final, knowing that his team can improve on their performance on Friday.

City’s season a big improvement on last year

Having finished dead last as Melbourne Heart last season, 2014-15 saw the newer Melbourne side make big strides in terms of improvement. After re-instating their former manager John van’t Schip, City were dominant for the majority of the season at home.

Currently, the glaring issue is their away form, having finished the home and away season dreadfully. The side conceded seven goals in two appearances away from home to the likes of Perth Glory and Adelaide United.

If City is to make even bigger waves next season, they will need to learn how to win away, and also get points from big games like the three Melbourne derbied played during the regular season.

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Sydney FC or Adelaide United to give Victory a sterner test in the grand final

Whoever it may be, Sydney FC or Adelaide United, you can bet your bottom dollar that their defence will
be more disciplined. Having come off a five day trip to Wellington and a flight from New Zealand, it was City that looked slower out of the blocks against a Victory side that had been preparing for this match for a fortnight.

After picking apart the City defence early in the contest, Victory were able to sit back for over an hour’s worth of the contest without being meaningfully threatened. The grand final will be against opposition with quality superior to that of the young City side, and the Victory will need to be at their best to secure their third A-League title.

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