Match Details
Melbourne Victory v Macarthur Bulls
Date: Saturday 10 February
Time: 5:30pm (AEDT)
Location: AAMI Park
Tickets: http://mvf.club/q6
PREVIEW
Unbeaten streaks will be put on the line on Saturday night when Macarthur make the trip to AAMI Park to face our boys in blue.
Tony Popovic’s side is 15 games unbeaten, the second-longest unbeaten run to start a single season in the history of the competition, while Mile Sterjovski‘s side is on a six-game undefeated run.
Bruno Fornaroli returns to Tony Popovic’s extended squad ahead of Saturday’s clash against Macarthur.
The 36-year-old is in line to make his first appearance since Round 10 and will no doubt be looking to continue his incredible form that has seen him top the Golden Boot race.
“We expected him to be away another week, in all honesty, and probably should have been away another week when you watch that game against Korea,” Popovic said.
“But we’re delighted to have him back. We’ve already seen what he brings to training since he’s back, his passion, his energy, he loves his Club and he’s excited to be amongst the players. And we know what he’ll bring us on the field.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s match against the Bulls, Popovic said he won’t be taking the match-up lightly.
“They’re a tough team to beat,” he said.
“They’re proving to be very dangerous in transition with their wingers and with Germain and Davila there. They have the experience and quality centrally and they keep getting the results.
“They’re finding consistency with their performances and obviously the results. They’ll come here, I’m sure, with confidence to get a result. We have to be aware of the danger they possess.
“But I’m more looking forward to seeing us improve our performance and show a better game here at home in terms of our ball speed, our connection and improvements in certain areas will help us get the three points.”
Midfielder Roly Bonevacia returns to the A-League but this time will wear blue.
The 32-year-old joins Victory from Kuwaiti side Al-Tadamon where he spent the last four seasons playing throughout the Middle East.
Bonevacia is also a graduate of the famed Ajax Academy, representing the Netherlands at youth international level and Curacao at senior international level.
Popovic said he was looking forward to what Bonevacia will bring to Melbourne Victory.
“We’re thrilled to have a quality player like Roly join us for the rest of the season and we have no doubt that he will make a positive impact this campaign,” Popovic said.
“Roly is a versatile midfielder who has strong assets in both defence and attack and we believe his attributes will complement our current midfield.”
Although not named, Bonevacia may still feature on Saturday pending international clearance.
FROM TONY
THE STATS
SQUAD
2.Jason GERIA, 3.Adama TRAORE, 5.Damien DA SILVA, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Chris IKONOMIDIS, 8.Zinedine MACHACH, 10.Bruno FORNAROLI 11.Ben FOLAMI, 14.Connor CHAPMAN, 16.Stefan NIGRO, 17.Nishan VELUPILLAY, 18.Fabian MONGE, 19.Daniel ARZANI, 20.Paul IZZO, 21.Roderick MIRANDA, 22.Jake BRIMMER, 23.Salim KHELIFI, 25.Ryan TEAGUE, 27.Jordi VALADON, 40.Christian SICILIANO
Ins: 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 10.Bruno FORNAROLI
Outs: nil
