Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat says Gui Finkler and Fahid Ben Khalfallah have acted professionally in reaction to missing out on the 2016 Asian Champions League squad.
Following Finkler’s omission from the ACL for the second time, rumours have swirled that the Brazilian is considering departing the club at season’s end, with his contract due to expire.
Khalfallah has faced some criticism this season for perceived under-performance after he was influential in Victory’s 2015 premiership year.
Muscat says that despite natural disappointment between the pair, they have taken it well and any denigration against the pair is unwarranted.
“I’ve had conversations with both players and our relationships are fine. Naturally you get to this point and there’s so much debate on the matter because five doesn’t go into three,” Muscat said.
“Unfortunately the fact we’ve got five players who have contributed massively to the club with their performances, there was going to be disappointed. There was going to be no shying away from that.”
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Victory take on Adelaide United on Friday night at AAMI Park in a crucial clash for both teams. Victory sit fifth with 29 points, one behind the charging Adelaide who are third on 30 points.
With the pair missing out on Champions League, Muscat says they will feature in the game against Adelaide with no worries about fatigue.
“They’ve been important players in the list throughout, last year’s campaign and this year’s campaign to date,” he said.
“Nothing’s going to be won or lost with two players, there’s no doubt their contribution is valuable to the football team and the rest of the squad and everyone else involved is just as important.
“They won’t be travelling, so naturally they’ll play tomorrow night.”
With Finkler and Khalfallah shunned, some questions have arisen of 34-year-old Matthieu Delpierre’s selection in the squad. However, Muscat says there is no need for him to defend the decision.
“I don’t need to defend the decision to select him,” he said.
“He’s been outstanding in his performances There were a number of factors in terms of the opposition strengths and weaknesses and where they lay.”
“The decisions were made based on all the knowledge and all the facts.”
Victory play Shanghai SIPG in their first ACL game next Wednesday night at home.
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