The Melbourne Victory lost 4-1 to Juventus last night. Two late goals left Melbourne with a disappointing scoreline, despite the Victory managing to contain the Italians for most of 90 minutes.
In truth, it was a rather pedestrian performance by both sides. Juventus, consisting largely of B-team players, did not appear particularly driven, although it still kept Melbourne on the back foot for most of the match. The Victory did enjoy a fair share of possession, but struggled to convert possession to chances.
Juventus’ goals were clinical and opportunistic.
Compare that with Carlos Hernández’ equaliser, a beautiful strike from outside the penalty area, the kind of shot we dreamed of when the Costa Rican was first signed. The goal, his second in two matches, is an encouraging sign that Hernández is rapidly returning to form.
I went prepared to see Melbourne lose (I said as much yesterday), but I wasn’t prepared for the level of hostility directed towards the Victory from spectators around me. Several people around me were clearly not just there to witness one of the world’s legendary clubs in action; they were also there to ridicule the Victory. There’s something very odd about being in your home stadium listening to people take pleasure in everything your side’s players do wrong.
Kevin, an MVFC Blog reader, wrote me earlier today commenting on the lack of atmosphere at the game. He asked: “Where were the Blue & White Brigade and their flags and drums or the Juve army with theirs?”
I agree with Kevin. It was an odd affair last night. I was glad - as I always am - to see some of the youngsters given a good run (Nathan Elasi had a good half, I thought), but the game didn’t really come to life until Hernández fired in Melbourne’s equaliser. That broke things open for a while, but injuries to Hernández, Thompson, and the penalty for Juventus again stole the game’s spirit.
Anyway, enough of me being pessimistic. Anyone got something positive to say?
13 responses so far ↓
1 Christian // May 31, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I think it was an entertaining game in which every victory supporter that went along could enjoy even if we lost 4-1. The score does not matter that much, it was a great experience for our younger players to set their standards at and to see how football is played at the top level. No offence to the A-league, but the comparison gap in sheer class between our players and juventus B-side is amazing. Although you would expect that from Juventus. I just hope that our team learnt a lot from the game and can aim for the standards that we saw on display.
2 Brenton // May 31, 2008 at 7:42 pm
On any other day id be sour after going down 4-1, but last night i was content with the boys even remaining competative and getting on the scoreboard.
The two late goals i think really showed the difference between football in Italy and football in Australia but for the first 20 or so mins of the second half we looked good for a draw, the boys really put the foot down but in the end with archie and hernadez and the late subs of celeski and pondeljak meant there wasnt going to be much more pressure. I thought it was great to see the young guys get a run against some real quality opposition also. I also thought that Elasi had a great game and look forward to him getting some game time this year, although with merricks history i wont hold my breath…..
Im not sure about the hostility towards melbourne but i dont doubt that there were some arrogant fans out there with no real respect for growing the game in this country(the smae country they live in), which at the end of the day is what a game like this is all about. I had juventus fans around me celebrating melbournes goal as well as their 4 while still keeping the competative nature in the stands.
All in all i had a great time, i thought melbourne was great value, i loved seeing one of the top teams in the world right in front of me and everyone i know, even those that dont follow the code, wants to talk about the game which is the best feeling ever:)
3 Astri // May 31, 2008 at 11:57 pm
I wasn’t there but there is always a few bad apples in any crowd, I’m sure the majority supported both teams. Hernandez goal was awesome, he is class, can’t wait for him to tear up version 4.
4 new tactix // Jun 1, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Spewing I couldn’t get there. Watched it on TV and throughly enjoyed it. Juventus really displayed some serious class at times… half a chance and bang… ruthless stuff and great to watch. This is about the only game (apart from an AC Milan, Barcelona, ManU etc) where I can stomach MVFC losing.
From an analytical perspective, in the first half we were dismal, no shape or game plan. Again we looked lost in the final third which worries me for v4. Playing long balls against this type of quality team just highlights how amateur a game plan it is. Then when archie came on in the second half he ignited things and hernandez seems to lift with him. Great goal by hernandez… just sublime!
Overall very entertaining… young players got a bit of a run. Great to watch!
5 zokzek // Jun 1, 2008 at 10:44 pm
‘Cmon Christian,I don’t think the gap between Victory and Juve B was “amazing”.First half ,yes but 2-nd I think our boys had more of the game.I watched it again today and think if we were a bit more committed in defense we wouldn’t have copped the last two and we did enjoy alot of possession in their half .Their penalty=dive.They have a bit more experience as a world class team but i wasn’t ”amazed ”by them and i don’t think our boys were ether.But Iagree with the comment about the crowd .Its sad to see Italian Australians trying to ridicule our boys, and a lot of them did (were i was on 3 rd South).I don’t ever expect to see these individuals at an A-League game,they were not there for the love of the game or to help us make our code strong.
6 zokzek // Jun 1, 2008 at 10:47 pm
And as for the lack of atmosphere…I think its the alocated seating.The sign of things to come
7 Rosco // Jun 2, 2008 at 2:34 pm
I agree with the allocated seating comment. We couldn’t band together as we did in the ACL.
As for the game, overall i enjoyed it, Carlos’s goal was brilliant and Kaz also impressed me. Jess Van Stratten should also get a look in the oz keeper stakes.
But once again Ernie completely screwed it for me when he brought on Caceres instead of giving another one of the boys that will be around a better go!
8 Astri // Jun 2, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Kaz ig gone guys, signed with Newcastle. Good luck to him, I hope he fares better than Sarkies.
9 Rosco // Jun 3, 2008 at 11:34 am
Agree with Astri, good luck Kaz. I believe he showed enough in the extremelly minimal time given to him by the Total TOOL that is Ernie Merrick! I’m sure he will impress and develop under GVE at the Jets.
I hope I’m wrong but I’m beggining to get the feeling of another crap year coming up….
10 Philip // Jun 3, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Hey Rosco, loosing Kaz wont make our year crap … he didnt play anyway so we wont miss him. I think Ernie should have given him more of a go during the middle of the year although i also think Kaz was bit light weight and bundled off the ball too easily when he had his limited opportunities. He should develop under GVE if he gets more game time and I hope he does but we already have a packed mid-field squad.
Next year we should have a settled side which is the one that finished the ACL campaign plus the addition of Fabiano which should be a good thing. We just need to tidy up the left back spot and I believe we will have a good year.
Most other clubs will be starting the year with numerous changes during the off season and we saw how that unsettled our squad in V3.
11 Brenton // Jun 3, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Phillip you make and extremly good point there, i totally agree with you, i think melbourne will have a much better year this year, a finals appearence at the very least.
12 Sly // Jun 3, 2008 at 10:27 pm
zokzek the reason the gap in class didn’t seem to be “amazing” was that Juve hardly seemed to be trying. They knew they could soak up anything we could throw at them. When they did seem bothered - imediately after we scored and at the end of each half the seemed to pretty much score at will. Enjoyed the game though although the as other’s have said the atmosphere was pretty disapointing although wether that was due to the seating or the fact that the game meant nothing is difficult to tell. Probably a bit of both. Although correct me if I’m wrong but the grand final was allocated seating and the atmosphere seemed pretty reasonable to me.
Ever the optimist I have a god feeling about next season with Hernandez calling the shots in midfield and archie and Fabiano develeoping a telepathic understanding and banging the goals in we’ll be unstoppable. Here’s hoping anyway.
Sad to see Kaz leaving too, I just don’t think he was given enough time to shine. Lets face it if Carlos had only been given the same amount of time to make an impression as Kaz he would have been out the door too.
13 Rosco // Jun 4, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Phil, wasn’t insinuating that the loss of Kaz would be the catalyst for another bad year. My comment at the end was a culmination of my general feelings that Ernies decisions have been crap and this was yet another one of those. Agree that Kaz needs a little more strength on the ball however outside of Carlos (lets pray that he can remain injury free) our midfield seems to lack the kind of creativity that will be required to take it up a notch or two next season. (no more long ball & hope)
Fab seems promising and I agree with the left back issue but my view is that Ernie must go in order for us to progress. I hope that it doesn’t take another bad year for us to realise that he has realised his full potential as a manager and we need to find someone from home or abroad that can take us to the next level as a club.
14 Harry // Jun 4, 2008 at 4:17 pm
I am a committed Victory fan but as long as we have a PE teacher as a coach and an AFL dominated board we will remain vulnerable to more progressive clubs. The disaster of Ljubo , letting Caceras go without a fight (still a young and developing player), same story with Kaz, retaining the skill-less but battling Kemp game after game and let’s not forget our 3-man defensive midfield at the start of the season when, suprise surprise, we couldn’t win a game. I will loyally turn up every game but I refuse to sing the words “Ernie Merrick’s blue & white army” along with the rest of the guys at South End. The words stick in my throat.
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