Melbourne Victory vows to turn the screws on Kawasaki Frontale in Asian Champions League clash

MELBOURNE Victory coach Kevin Muscat has vowed to push the tempo against Kawasaki Frontale on Tuesday night — no matter what the risks are. But will the gamble pay off?

Stefan Nigro could be set for a recall to Victory’s starting line-up on Tuesday night. Picture: Getty Images

MELBOURNE Victory coach Kevin Muscat has vowed to heap the pressure on Kawasaki Frontale in Tuesday night’s crucial Asian Champions League showdown at AAMI Park.

But Muscat admits there is an element of risk and reward as his side tries to keep its ACL campaign alive with a much-needed home win against the J League champions.

Victory (two points) and Kawasaki (one point) are propping up the Group F table, with Shanghai SIPG (seven points) and Ulsan Hyundai (five points) occupying the qualification spots at the half way point of the group stage.

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Muscat said Victory tried to go toe-to-toe with Kawasaki in last week’s 2-2 draw in Japan.

“Make no mistake, we’re going to do the same again,” Muscat said.

“If anything, we’re going to increase the tempo, increase the amount of pressure we put them under.

“And there’s risks involved in that, but that’s certainly what I enjoy and it’s what the playing group craves.

“We want to dictate terms, we want to dictate the tempo, as they did to us in Tokyo.

Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat speaks to his team during a training session at AAMI Park on Monday. Picture: AAP

“We want to return that favour and we’ve prepared very well in terms of our recovery and our training to be able to execute that.

“It’s nothing to be afraid of. Bring it on.”

Victory has no injury concerns, but does have to find a replacement for captain Carl Valeri who is out suspended.

With Matias Sanchez not picked in the ACL squad and Mark Milligan gone, Muscat admits Valeri’s absence leaves his side “a little bit thin” in the midfield.

Leigh Broxham, who will captain the team in Valeri’s absence, would be favoured to partner Terry Antonis in the centre, with Stefan Nigro to play on the left of defence and Thomas Deng on the right.

But Muscat said youngster Josh Hope was also in the mix.

“It creates an opportunity,” he said.

“Josh Hope has come on and played some minutes in there. He’s improving and his presence when he’s out on the park is starting to feel like he deserves to be out there.

Leigh Broxham will captain Melbourne Victory in the absence of the suspended Carl Valeri on Tuesday night. Picture: AAP

“The younger players have to earn their opportunities, Christian (Theoharous) is an example of that and Josh is in the same boat.

“Whether it’s from the start or not, that’s what we’re going to have to weight up.”

Meanwhile, Kawasaki coach Toru Oniki was keeping his selection cards close to his chest on Monday.

The J League champions played at home on Saturday, defeating Gamba Osaka 2-0, before flying to Melbourne and arriving on Sunday.

Oniki insisted the side he had brought to Australia was “full strength”, but when pressed if he had left any one behind he said: “I’m afraid I can’t say”.

“I had to make a judgment about three days ago before we left Japan,” Oniki said.

“Considering the physical conditions and that maybe the players are a bit tired or have injuries, I had to make a decision about who to take to this game.

“We finished the match and then straight away we have to travel, so I expect the players to be tired.

Besart Berisha, at training on Monday, scored against Kawasaki in Japan last week. Picture: Getty Images

“But when I looked at them at training (on Sunday) my first impression was quite positive, they looked ready to fight.

“So I found that the atmosphere of the team is very good.”

Muscat said Victory would try to exploit its physical advantage having enjoyed a weekend off in the A-League.

“They’ve played on Saturday, they’ve travelled across immediately after the game — we know what that’s like,” Muscat said.

“It’s here in Melbourne on our park where our recent performances have been very good.

“So it’s up to us to turn those things into an advantage.”

Originally published as Melbourne Victory vows to turn the screws on Kawasaki Frontale in Asian Champions League clash