Melbourne Victory is eyeing back-to-back A-League wins when it hosts Western United at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
Summary
Victory recorded a deserved 2-0 win over the Wellington Phoenix last time out.
Rudy Gestede scored his first goals for the club, heading in two Jake Brimmer corners either side of half-time.
Victory is aiming to build momentum when it takes on Western United in the first of three straight games at Marvel Stadium.
While Gestede got on the scoresheet, Dalibor Markovic and Zaydan Bello impressed on debut for Victory.
Victory finished the game with six academy players – Markovic, Bello, Aaron Anderson, Birkan Kirdar, Jay Barnett and Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio – helping it see out its win.
It came as Marco Rojas, Ryan Shotton and Dylan Ryan suffered injuries in Victory’s win.
While assisting both of Gestede’s goals, Brimmer also created four chances. Only Phoenix midfielder Ulises Davila (24) has created more chances than Brimmer (23) in the A-League this season.
Player in focus
What they said
“We have to keep this momentum going on, this positive feeling and this confidence with us. Western United is an experienced team with a quality so it’s going to be a different game. We’ve got quality in our side so we don’t fear anyone, just like we need to manage a bit more and be more patient, but I’m looking forward to playing this team and we will find space.” – Victory striker Gestede.
Last time
A-League 2020/21
Western United 0-0 Melbourne Victory
Saturday, January 30, 2021
AAMI Park, Melbourne
The teams played out an entertaining draw last month.
Brandon Lauton hit the post for Victory in the first half, while Alessandro Diamanti struck the crossbar twice for Western United.
As it stands
Head to head
Round 9, 2020/21: Western 0-0 Victory at AAMI Park
Round 28, 2019/20: Victory 1-2 Western at Bankwest Stadium
Round 9, 2019/20: Western 3-1 Victory at GMHBA Stadium
Round 4, 2019/20: Victory 2-3 Western at Marvel Stadium
Match details
Melbourne Victory v Western United
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Saturday, February 27, 2021
Kick-off: 7.10pm AEDT
Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Matt ACTON (gk), 2.Storm ROUX , 6.Leigh BROXHAM (c), 7.Callum McMANAMAN, 8.Jacob BUTTERFIELD, 9.Rudy GESTEDE, 10.Robbie KRUSE, 11. Ben FOLAMI, 13.Birkan KIRDAR, 14.Jay BARNETT, 15.Aaron ANDERSON, 16.Brandon LAUTON, 17.Elvis KAMSOBA, 20.Max CROCOMBE (gk), 22.Jacob BRIMMER, 23.Marco ROJAS, 25.Luis LAWRIE-LATTANZIO, 33 Dalibor MARKOVIC, 35.Zaydan BELLO 44.Matthew BOZINOVSKI
**2-4 to be omitted**
In: 2.Storm ROUX (return from injury), 44. Matthew BOZINOVSKI (promoted)
Out: 5.Ryan SHOTTON (injured), 19.Dylan RYAN (injured)
Unavailable: 3.Adama TRAORE (injured) 4.Nicholas ANSELL (Injured)
