Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat has juggling act as he chases ACL and A-League spoils
Melbourne Victory starts its quest for Asian Champions League glory on Tuesday night. But first, there’s the matter of the Newcastle Jets, meaning Kevin Muscat has some tough calls ahead.
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If Kevin Muscat and Melbourne Victory are to make waves internationally, they must start going deep in the Asian Champions League.
While there’s no better time than 2019, armed with their international headline acts in Keisuke Honda and Ola Toivonen, Muscat’s squad management skills will be tested, starting with Saturday night’s home clash against Newcastle Jets at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium.
Victory’s club and Muscat’s personal coaching ambitions make the Champions League campaign key, and the coach’s adaptability this season has been impressive.
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But it’s also coincided with one of their worst injury runs in Muscat’s six seasons. It hasn’t been horrific, with the injury toll exacerbated when offset with the nigh-impeccable record in previous years.
Toivonen is in doubt for Saturday night’s clash with illness, and if there is any risk whatsoever, Victory will wrap him in cotton wool for Tuesday’s Champions League opener at AAMI Park against Koreans Daegu FC.
Muscat, whose Victory side could land a killer blow to Newcastle’s finals chances with a win, admitted it was a juggling act ahead of the clash against former friend turned foe Ernie Merrick.
“Ola has been ill over the last couple of days. He’s been with the doctors, we’ll monitor that and make a decision, take everything into consideration,’’ Muscat said.
“Keisuke got another 60-70 minutes under his belt, Donachie came on and played 80-85 minutes.
“The campaign hasn’t been settled by any stretch of the imagination. To be in the position we’re in and not wavering on how we want to play and perform — the boys have done really well considering.
“It’s important that you do look forward. Every manager will say it’s the next game and we will pick a (strong) team, and all my focus right now in on Geelong.”
Attacker Elvis Kamsoba is also in doubt for the clash, with fellow National Premier Leagues fairytale story Kenny Athiu on standby to partner Kosta Barbarouses up front.
Originally published as Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat has juggling act as he chases ACL and A-League spoils
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