Melbourne Victory boss Kevin Muscat ‘excited’ by adapting to ACL rivals’ styles

MELBOURNE Victory coach Kevin Muscat admits his side will face several obstacles as he embarks on his third and most important Asian Champions League campaign.

Kevin Muscat is under increasing pressure to save Victory’s season.

MELBOURNE Victory coach Kevin Muscat admits his side will have to show tactical flexibility as he embarks on his third and most important Asian Champions League campaign.

Three-straight losses has left Victory limping into the prestigious continental competition, with fans voicing their displeasure in Friday’s 2-1 home loss to Brisbane Roar.

Victory kicks off at AAMI Park on Tuesday night against Koreans Ulsan Hyundai, before facing Kawasaki Frontale (Japan) and Shanghai SIPG (China) in the group phase.

Kevin Muscat is under increasing pressure to save Victory’s season.

Muscat, who is out of contract at the end of the season, admits Asia’s variety of styles and quality will provide a stern test.

“You’ve got to adapt in the Champions League anyway and that’s what’s exciting about it. It tests the staff,’’ Muscat said.

“We’ll have to be flexible with the way we go about it. Tactically we’ve got to be respectful and responsive.

ANALYSIS: Victory changes needed to save season

“We get excited about systems and formations in the A-League, but generally it’s still the Australian way of playing. The difference between the Asian teams — we start with Koreans Ulsan, their country’s style of play is far different to the Japanese.

“Then we’ve seen with the Chinese, they tend to be heavy with foreigners in that front third. The style with all three countries, let alone teams is very different.

“We’re preparing to give it a real good shake and tackle it head on. It’s an exciting challenge, we want to do well, starting on Tuesday.”

Thomas Deng and Stefan Nigro could come back into the side, with Muscat set to make at least one change from the Roar loss as Argentine Matias Sanchez must make way as he was the visa player omitted from Asian duty.

The loss of Mark Milligan will hurt the Victory.

Muscat said the loss of Milligan hurt, but Terry Antonis’ arrival and the emergence of youngsters Christian Theoharous and Josh Hope would help compensate.

“We are (happy with the squad). This season’s been unique in my time here in many, many ways and I’ve had to deal with quite a lot, it’s built a bit of resilience in the group,’’ he said.

“The way the season and transfer window’s panned out, you’ve got to adjust because obviously our depth isn’t what it was. It didn’t leave us a lot of time to replace Mark, but in that position I feel we’ve got adequate bodies and that’s why the decision was made with Matias (to miss out).”

Muscat did not rule out making another signing, with Victory limited to free agents now.