Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat says their 4-0 win against Brisbane Roar in early January has no genuine relevance when the two meet again at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow night.
At the time, Brisbane were first on the table, Victory were coming from a form slump in December and it looked to be Victory’s best performance of the season.
“There’s no reason why we can’t win tomorrow night, the previous result has no bearing in the preparations for tomorrow night,” Muscat said.
“It’s totally different, a long time ago and was a good night for us, what’s important we have a good night tomorrow night.”
“It doesn’t really count for too much.”
“If you look deep into it, it might affect you, it might help you, but the concentration is fully on tomorrow night.”
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The top six is as close as ever with Victory sit fifth on 33 points and the Roar on 38 points, one behind table-topping Adelaide United.
Victory goalkeeper Danny Vukovic is set to play his 250th game against Brisbane, the veteran originally started at Central Coast Mariners playing 104 games from 2005, a brief stint with Wellington in 2010-11 and subsequently Perth Glory before heading to Melbourne.
The Victory boss acknowledged the milestone, and dubbed him as the most consistent, but he urged the 30-year-old to make it memorable with a good performance.
“For me, Danny has been around the longest, throughout the period of time he’s been the most consistent goalkeeper throughout the competition so far,” he said.
“He’s got a lot of football left in him, massive desire to be successful and win trophies.”
“He’ll have 90 minutes to play tomorrow night.”
“It’s a great occasion for him, but he’d be the first to admit, it would be nothing if doesn’t prepare, play well and take three points. Maybe after that I’ll congratulate him.”
“I don’t think Danny has been different to anyone else, we’ve been consistent and inconsistent through games rather than game to game.”
With Kosta Barbarouses’ departure at the end of the season to Wellington now out in the open, Muscat also believes the fans will understand the situation and is confident the Kiwi will get on with business in a professional manner.
“Our fans understand, they know the character they’re dealing with and what Kosta has done for the football club,” he said.
“He wants to end his time here on a high.”
“I have a great relationship with Kosta, right throughout this period he has been honest and leaves with a heavy heart.”
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