Sydney FC’s hold over Melbourne Victory threatens Big Blue’s shine

Sydney FC’s recent dominance over Melbourne Victory has threatened to take away some of the lustre from the Big Blue.

Sydney FC goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne training at Macquarie Park. The Sky Blues face fierce rivals Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Friday night. Picture: AAP

The Big Blue is arguably one of the biggest games on the Australian soccer calendar, but Sydney FC’s recent dominance over Melbourne Victory has threatened to take away some of the lustre from the A-League derby.

The two sides go head to head again 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 of the last 13 meetings between the Sky Blues and Victory.

That includes wins in the last three Big Blues, the most recent a 2-1 win in November at Jubilee Stadium. Since then Victory have had four defeats in eight games, sacked their coach Marco Kurz and are now trying to steady the ship with interim coach Carlos Salvachua holding the reins.

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Sydney coach Steve Corica played down the idea that his team’s dominance over Victory knocks some of the shine off the marquee fixture.

“No, it’s always big, don’t worry,” said Corica. “It’s always a big match and 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 front of a hostile crowd down there.”

Salvachua’s first match against the league leaders couldn’t have come at a more pressing time.

Sydney are fresh from the bye and have been boosted by the return of Socceroos right back Rhyan Grant from suspension, while Victory will have to manage their energy after a win in an Asian Champions League qualifier over Bali United on Tuesday and a trip to Japan next week.

But the news of Victory re-signing “favourite son” Marco Rojas for his third stint with the club 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 are all very different players but dangerous players.”

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH