Sydney FC head into Big Blue with unprecedented lead over Melbourne Victory
It’s one of the must-watch games for Australian football fans with a history of deciding titles. But such is Sydney FC’s A-League dominance, has the clash with Melbourne Victory lost some of its lustre?
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The Big Blue is arguably one of the biggest games on the Australian football calendar, but does the Sydney FC’s recent dominance over their rivals Melbourne Victory take away from the lure of the event?
The two sides go head to head at AAMI Park on Friday night but Sydney, who are top of the table by eight points with a game in hand, have won 10 out of the last 13 Big Blues.
Sydney have three wins on the bounce against a Victory side now trying to steady the ship with interim coach Carlos Salvachuca.
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Sydney coach Steve Corica played down the idea that dominance in a fixture means it loses its shine as a marquee event.
“No, it’s always big don’t worry,” said Corica. “It’s always a big match they have great supporters down there. We’ll have a great crowd coming down to support us. It’s a very important game for both teams and we will treat it with respect.
“Before the Wanderers this was our derby ever since the first season. It’s great to play in a hostile crowd down there.”
Salvachuca’s first match against the league leaders couldn’t have come at a more pressing time.
Sydney are fresh from a bye week and boosted by the return of Socceroos right-back Rhyan Grant, while Victory will have to manage their energy after a midweek Asian Champions League qualifier win over Bali United and a trip to Japan coming up next week.
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But the news of Victory re-signing ‘favourite son’ Marco Rojas is sure to give them a boost, whether he plays or not.
“It’s just fallen like that they do have a very busy schedule, they played midweek and will have to go to Kashima in Japan. There’s definitely a lot on their plate,” said Corica.
“I don’t think he (Rojas) will start, you never know he might be on the bench but (Robbie) Kruse has been doing really well, (Ola) Toivonen, (Andrew) Nabbout, (Elvis) Kamsoba all very different players but dangerous players.”
Sydney FC are now without midfielder Brandon O’Neill, who secured a move to Korean side Pohang Steelers, while Michael Zullo’s return from a calf injury is set to possibly keep him on the sidelines for another week.