Melbourne Victory Head Coach Kevin Muscat is confident his side is back in top form, ahead of an important clash with Adelaide United on Friday night.
Victory comes into the match on the back of a 3-2 win over Wellington last Sunday.
Muscat’s side fought back from 2-0 down at half time to take the three points thanks to a late James Troisi goal.
Buy tickets for Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United here
“We had a very good performance in Wellington, we created an abundance of chances and opportunities,” Muscat said.
“It was back to what we are about and how we want to be seen by other teams in the country.
“We need to reproduce that type of performance and if we do, we give ourselves a great chance of being successful.”
Influential midfielder Mark Milligan will return to the side after serving a suspension for the red card he received against Newcastle in Round 8.
The importance of Milligan’s inclusion in the side was not lost on Muscat.
“Millsy is a very good player and he’s an important part of our leadership in the team.
“Like the other leaders and experienced players in the team, they’ll have to lead from the front tomorrow night and Millsy is no different.”
Speaking to the media earlier in the week, Milligan echoed Muscat’s sentiments around delivering consistent performances.
“We need to make sure we back up,” Milligan said.
“We need to string a couple together and we started that on the weekend against Wellington.”
Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United
Friday, December 8, Etihad Stadium
7.50pm AEDT
Live on Fox Sports 501
Melbourne Victory (two to be omitted): 1.Matt ACTON (gk), 2.Jason GERIA, 4.Rhys WILLIAMS, 5.Mark MILLIGAN, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Kenny ATHIU, 8.Besart BERISHA, 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10.James TROISI, 14.Thomas DENG, 18.Matias SANCHEZ, 19. Pierce WARING, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (gk), 21.Carl VALERI (c), 22.Stefan NIGRO, 23.Jai INGHAM, 31.Christian THEOHAROUS, 41.Leroy GEORGE
Ins: 5.Mark MILLIGAN (return from suspension), 7.Kenny ATHIU (promoted), 19. Pierce WARING (promoted)
Outs: 16.Josh HOPE (not selected)
Unavailable: 11.Mitch AUSTIN (knee), 17.James DONACHIE (quad)
Adelaide United (two to be omitted): 1.Daniel MARGUSH (gk), 2.Michael MARRONE, 4.Ben WARLAND, 6.Vince LIA, 7.Ryan KITTO, 8.ISAÍAS (c), 9.Baba DIAWARA, 12.Mark OCHIENG, 14.George BLACKWOOD, 16.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 17.Nikola MILEUSNIC, 19.Ben GARUCCIO, 20.Paul IZZO (gk), 22.Ersan GÜLÜM, 23.Jordan ELSEY, 24.Jordan O’DOHERTY, 29.Ryan STRAIN, 37.Daniel ADLUNG
Ins: 2.Michael MARRONE (returns from suspension), 4.Ben WARLAND (promoted), 19.Ben GARUCCIO (returns from suspension)
Outs: 10.Karim MATMOUR (released)
Unavailable: 11.Johan ABSALONSEN (thigh – 2 weeks), 21.Tarek ELRICH (knee – long term)
