On the Attack: Why Melbourne derby is perfect time for Daniel Arzani to shine
Why upon return from suspension the Melbourne derby is the perfect place for Socceroo Daniel Arzani to prove his worth, how Sydney must treat its star import and more is on the agenda in this week’s edition of On the Attack.
A-League
Don't miss out on the headlines from A-League. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Football expert Marco Monteverde and Socceroos legend Robbie Slater preview the big issues ahead of the second round of the A-League season.
IT’S TIME FOR ARZANI
Daniel Arzani must start for Melbourne Victory in Saturday night’s derby at AAMI Park.
The prodigious talent’s absence was telling in the Victory’s season-opening 0-0 draw with the Mariners last Friday.
Unable to play because of a suspension hanging over from last season’s finals series, it would have been a frustrated Arzani watching as his team couldn’t break down the resolute Mariners.
Now that the Socceroos playmaker is again available for selection, he needs to play from the opening whistle against his former Melbourne City this weekend.
Arzani’s got the ability to break open a game, and that’s particularly crucial in derbies, which are normally tight affairs.
Hopefully Arzani has learnt his lesson from his recent blow-up with Victory coach Patrick Kisnorbo over being left out of the Victory’s starting team for last month’s Australia Cup final.
While it was a selection decision that left many puzzled, it’s Kisnorbo’s call as coach.
Arzani should have accepted that he had been named among the Victory’s substitutes for the match rather than chuck a tantrum, which led to him being left out of the match-day squad altogether.
“The main thing is that we learn from the situation and we move on, and that’s what’s happened. Kisnorbo said.
“All we do is look forward to being better.
“There is a chance (that Arzani will start on Saturday). There are no guarantees with anything but he’s definitely available for selection.”
BE CLEVER WITH COSTA
With a “tight hamstring” having led to Costa being replaced in the second-half of Sydney’s 2-1 AFC Champions League Two loss to Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Wednesday night, no risks should be taken with him.
Maybe Talay will have no choice but to rule Costa out if the hamstring flares up on Sydney’s long flight from Japan to Auckland.
However, even if Costa thinks he’s fit enough to play, Talay needs to err on the side of caution, particularly so early in the season.
The last thing the Sky Blues want is for Costa to tear his hamstring and be sidelined long-term. One game out is better than two months out.
There is enough depth in Sydney’s squad to cover for Costa this weekend.
While Auckland’s fans would be denied the chance to see the former Bayern Munich and Juventus star in action, that’s not Talay’s problem.
Talay’s only concern should be what’s best for the Sky Blues, and that’s keeping Costa wrapped in cotton wool on Sunday.
COOL FOR CORICA
Auckland FC coach Steve Corica doesn’t have a point to prove to Sydney FC officials this weekend despite their decision to sack him last season, but guiding the Black Knights to victory over his former club would be sweet for the man they call `Bimbi’.
Corica had a superb stint with Sydney as a player and a coach, and made a great start to his Auckland coaching tenure with a 2-0 home win over Brisbane Roar in front of almost 25,000 fans.
While that win was the ideal way for the expansion club to start its A-League journey, the Black Knights can make a huge statement about their credentials by beating a Sydney outfit many believe will be crowned champions at the end of the season.
Let’s hope Auckland supporters pack out Go Media Stadium for a second week in succession.
Such support will make it an intimidating atmosphere for a Sydney side that will be tired after a busy week of games and travel.
However, the Sky Blues will still be tough to beat, and will be determined to bounce back from Wednesday night’s loss in Japan.
JUAN WATCH
How Wanderers’ coach Alen Stajcic uses his Juan Mata on Sunday against Western United will again be scrutinised after the former Chelsea and Manchester United star was left out of Western Sydney’s starting team for last weekend’s derby.
Mata, 36, played for about half an hour in his side’s 2-1 loss, and Wanderers fans will be hoping he can build on that this weekend.
Stajcic will make the selection call he believes is best for his team, and let’s hope that involves using Mata from the opening whistle at Ironbark Fields.
Western United started its season with a well-earned point in Wellington, and playing at home on Sunday should inspire the John Aloisi-coached team that Stajcic won’t underestimate.
“Western United played really well last week, and towards the back end of last (season) they showed some similar form,” Stajcic said.
“We definitely know it’s going to be a tough encounter.”
IT’S A BIG WEEKEND FOR...
David Zdrilic – The Perth boss made a disastrous start to life as an A-League coach last Sunday and needs an immediate response from his team.
Daniel Arzani – Having made the headlines for the wrong reasons in recent times, Arzani will have a point to prove in the Melbourne derby.
Auckland FC fans – Having attended Go Media Stadium in their droves last Saturday, they need to do it again on Sunday.
Originally published as On the Attack: Why Melbourne derby is perfect time for Daniel Arzani to shine
Socceroo hopeful of derby return
A Socceroos great has had enough of niggling injuries as he plans for a return in the A-League’s Melbourne derby.
Death, bombs, terror: A-League teen’s escape from war-torn Iraq
Fleeing the death and destruction of Iraq as a baby, rising A-League star Frans Deli tells ERIN SMITH the story of how he arrived in Australia as a refugee to now living his dream as a professional footballer.