Arthur Diles is savouring the prospect of the campaign’s final two games, starting with Melbourne Victory hosting Newcastle Jets.
The Isuzu UTE A-League ladder-leaders visit AAMI Park on Friday, April 17, kick-off 7.35pm AEST, for what is Victory’s last home fixture of the 2025/26 regular season.
Round 25 is, therefore, the Club’s annual Member Recognition Round, which will be a celebration of the Club’s loyal members, recognising their unwavering support and continued contribution to the Victory family.
This follows a trip to Auckland, where Academy graduate Franco Lino and Socceroo Nishan Velupillay were on target for the visitors in a 2-2 draw versus the second-placed Black Knights.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Diles talked about his excitement for the next two rounds of football, as well as the role Victory’s supporters will play on home soil, with his players needing a win to confirm Finals football.
“The next two games are lovely games for us. They’re the games you want to be playing in. They’re the games that you want – to see what you’re up against and see where you stand.
“We had a good performance last week in Auckland. Disappointed not to come away with three points, and now it’s another challenge tomorrow, and one we’re ready for.
“They’re a strong team, so are we, and we’re looking forward to a big crowd tomorrow night as well here at AAMI and getting the fans behind us.”
Victory will be without Joshua Inserra and Jing Reec, but Sebastian Esposito is back in the frame after observing concussion protocol, which ruled him out of Round 24.
Juan Mata has also returned to the training track following surgery on the elbow fracture he suffered against Wellington Phoenix.
The Spaniard will miss this weekend, but could be in line for a return on Anzac Day away to Western Sydney Wanderers, according to Diles.
“He’s just bandaged up, there’s no brace at the moment. He’s recovered really, really well. He’s running, he’s joining in with the team at training. He’s probably ahead of where we thought he’d be.
“If anything changes in the next three or four days, that could shift. But at this point, we’ve pencilled that in as a match where he returns, and hopefully, we tick every box and get him there.”
Watch Diles’ full press conference below.
