Duva’s XI: Marco Rojas shows he’s ready for derby spotlight with sparkling cameo against Perth Glory
Plans for a new national reserve grade league haven’t gone down well with traditional NPL clubs — which isn’t surprising when another option makes much more sense. All the big football talking points in Duva’s XI.
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Marco Rojas has returned to Melbourne Victory in time to cause headaches for crosstown rival Melbourne City in this week’s A-League derby.
The Kiwi winger showed in a brief cameo against Perth Glory he was ready to ignite Victory’s campaign and would be capable of having a huge say in the club’s finals prospects.
Plus, tension at PSG involving one of world football’s top young talents, an A-League debut born in Melbourne’s west and plenty more in this week’s Duva’s XI.
1. ROJAS DERBY READY
Melbourne Victory fan favourite Marco Rojas is primed for a key role in Friday night’s derby in a vital impact role as a frightening front four edges closer to uniting.
The Kiwi could not impact Victory’s 2-2 draw away to Perth Glory in one of the games of the season after being sent on for 20 minutes.
Rojas looked sharp – creating with every touch and offering respite to a fatigued and under siege Victory, with Ola Toivonen and Andrew Nabbout subbed off while Robbie Kruse (rested) stayed in Melbourne.
One Rojas run in behind almost caused havoc for the Glory defence, saved by keeper Liam Reddy.
Rojas appears capable of starting and playing 45-60 minutes in Friday’s AAMI Park derby, but interim coach Carlos Salvachua may err towards caution considering Victory’s horror soft tissue injury record.
Victory has turned a corner, evidenced by the famous Champions League qualifying win, and the Glory draw – despite the home side resting Diego Castro.
Victory was without Kruse, Tim Hoogland and Leigh Broxham.
Toivonen netted a world class goal, while Nabbout’s was not far off.
2. GLORY’S BRUNO BOOST
Bruno Fornaroli is nearing career-best form and he threatens to haunt his former club Melbourne City.
Fornaroli’s tireless display, which included scoring from a free-kick, was arguably his sharpest of the season, playing with the determination that made him a City icon.
He looks set to hit his straps by May’s finals series and with Glory sitting a point behind second-place City, Fornaroli is one of the biggest obstacles between City and a maiden A-League title.
Fornaroli was on track to becoming City’s first club legend. Now he could cost them a maiden title, with Glory’s unbeaten run stretching to eight games.
3. RESERVE GRADE WHAT?
Traditional NPL clubs have predictably and understandably blown a gasket at the mooted A-League reserve grade league.
A national second division, which includes a loan system from A-League clubs, would be a smarter proposition and help build another bridge between “old soccer and new football”.
The miserly eight-round youth league needs a revamp, but not at the expense of a second division.
4. OLYMPIC DIET
Slimline Nick D’Agostino revealed the secret to his Olyroos success lay in the kitchen.
Despite playing just 14 A-League minutes leading into Tokyo 2020 qualifying, D’Agostino became the hero with three key goals – including the decisive third place playoff against Uzbekistan – as they broke a 12-year hoodoo.
The striker lost five kilograms since joining Glory from Brisbane Roar, backing up with an energetic display and impressive headed equaliser against Victory on Saturday night.
“Under Popa (Tony Popovic) you have to watch your diet and train hard. I feel a lot sharper, quicker, a lot more explosive on the turn. Probably the leanest and fittest I’ve been,” D’Agostino recently said.
“Pasta was a big part of the diet. (Now) there’s a lot of protein, salad and veggies. You have to cut out lots of carbs.”
5. KYLIAN’S NEW COACH CLASH
Speedstar Kylian Mbappe has fuelled speculation of a European summer move from PSG after again clashing with coach Thomas Tuchel.
Mbappe spent 20 seconds trying to evade Tuchel as he was subbed off for Argentine Mauro Icardi in the 68th minute, with his team 5-0 up against Montpellier.
Tuchel clutched Mbappe, who finally slipped free as PSG fans watched the heated exchange.
Mbappe, 21, is valued at $490 million and believed to be open to a move to Liverpool, who were recently linked to the attacker.
Real Madrid will almost certainly launch an offer in coming months.
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Thomas Deng chasing his dreams in Japan before Tokyo Olympics
As Liverpool march to EPL title, four clubs fight for last Champions League place
Socceroos boss Graham Arnold wants answers on packed fixture list
6. SCOUTING OLYROOS
Australia’s Tokyo 2020 qualification has given the A-League’s Under-23 players a pep in their step, with spots up for grans in Graham Arnold’s Olyroos squad.
Overseas-based Daniel Arzani (Celtic) and Harry Souttar (Fleetwood Town) should come into the final 18-man squad.
Locally, Riley McGree – the only one of the suspended quartet whose ban finishes prior to Tokyo 2020 – Louis D’Arrigo (Adelaide United), Anthony Lesiotis (Melbourne Victory), Jake Brimmer (Glory), Joel King, Harry van der Saag (Sydney FC), Cameron Devlin (Wellington Phoenix) and Sebastian Pasquali (Western United) will all be watched closely.
7. AUSSIE FA CUP SHOWDOWN
The Matildas’ attacking stars are locking horns in the Women’s League Cup final on February 29, when Chelsea takes on Arsenal.
Sam Kerr (Chelsea) will take on close friend Caitlin Foord, who will join her new team after the Matildas’ Tokyo 2020 qualifiers in Sydney.
It’s a third straight final for Gunners’ Aussie coach Joe Montemurro, who took on Manchester City in the top-of-the-table Super League clash overnight.
8. MAN UNITED DEBUT
Portuguese star Bruno Fernandes offered a ray of light to Manchester United’s flailing season after a decent debut in the home draw with Wolverhampton.
The Red Devils copped another reminder of what may have been, with Norwegian starlet Erling Haaland netting a double in Borussia Dortmund’s home win.
Haaland, 19, has scored seven goals in three games and 136 minutes. Sixth-place United, who tried to sign him, has failed to score in its three Premier League in the same period.
United made a shock deadline day signing, ex Watford and Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo on loan from Shanghai Shenhua, replacing injured Marcus Rashford.
A debut for Tomi Uskok! #WUFC #NEWvWUN pic.twitter.com/z9BgDjb3BA
— Western United FC (@wufcofficial) February 1, 2020
9. PRIDE OF THE WEST
Defender Tomi Uskok’s debut was a milestone for Western United who somehow escaped from Newcastle with a draw in searing heat.
Uskok was born and bred in the west and went through the ranks of the region’s most famous club, Melbourne Knights.
While United appeared to be a title contender just two months ago, a battle is now on to make the top six.
10. JAPANESE COACHING IMPACT
Aussie Peter Cklamovski is making a sudden impact at his new club Shimizu S-Pulse.
Ange Postecoglou’s long-time assistant has banked up a host of cultural brownie points, including delivering his opening address in Japanese.
Cklamovski looks set to make an impact on the field, signing Thai superstar and Socceroos World Cup qualifying nemesis Teerasil Dangda.
11. GULUM’S RELEGATION BATTLE
Ersan Gulum made his first appearance on the bench of his Turkish club after joining from Western United.
Revered in Turkey, Gulum answered an SOS from his former coach Tamer Tuna, a former assistant of Turkey national team boss Senol Gunes.
Gulum is now in a relegation scrap with Antalyaspor, where he sat on the bench alongside ex Germany striker Lukas Podolski. He has taken on a mentoring role, with a view to becoming an assistant coach in future.