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Dec 30, 2020   |  10:54PM AET

A-League preview: Victory v Roar

A-League preview: Victory v Roar

Melbourne Victory kicks off its A-League campaign at home to Brisbane Roar on Saturday.

Summary

After reaching the last 16 of the AFC Champions League before losing to eventual champion Ulsan Hyundai, a new-look Victory begins its domestic campaign at AAMI Park.

With Grant Brebner at the helm as head coach, Victory has seen numerous changes to its squad in the off-season.

Rudy Gestede, Ryan Shotton and Callum McManaman, who have all played in the Premier League previously, have joined alongside English midfielder Jacob Butterfield.

Ben Folami and Dylan Ryan have arrived on loan, while Jake Brimmer, Nick Ansell, Gianluca Iannucci and Max Crocombe have also joined.

Several of Victory’s signings featured in the Champions League, with Brimmer, Folami and Iannucci opening their goalscoring accounts for the club.

Victory will look to make a strong start to the 2020/21 campaign when it hosts Brisbane.

Roar started its season with a 1-0 loss at home to City on Tuesday.

The clash will mark the first time Victory has ever started a season at AAMI Park.

Ansell, who is in his third stint at the club, is one appearance away from playing his 100th game in all competitions for Victory, and he would become the 16th player to achieve the feat if he faces Brisbane.

Player in focus

What they said

“Our fans are exceptional. I’ve played for them, I’ve sat with them and I’m coaching for them so I know exactly what they’re like, but also I need and I want my players to know what they’re like as well. We experienced the empty stadiums just at the backend of last season and there’s no doubt our fans are the best in the league and I want the players, I’ve almost signed 50 per cent of a new squad, and I really want them to experience what it’s like for our fans who are singing constantly through a game, cheering us along, to be that 12th man for us and when we need them, they’re there for us.” – Brebner told RSN.

Last time

Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Round 24
Melbourne Victory 1-2 Brisbane Roar
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

Victory and Brisbane met when last season resumed.

Scott McDonald and Matthew Ridenton put Roar 2-0 up and it held on despite Andrew Nabbout’s 86th-minute penalty.

Head to head

Round 24, 2019/20: Victory 1-2 Roar at Bankwest Stadium
Round 3, 2019/20: Roar 0-1 Victory at Suncorp Stadium
Round 22, 2018/19: Victory 2-1 Roar at Marvel Stadium
Round 15, 2018/19: Roar 0-5 Victory at Suncorp Stadium
Round 8, 2018/19: Roar 2-4 Victory at Suncorp Stadium

Match details

Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Saturday, January 2, 2021
Kick-off: 7.10pm AEDT

Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Matt ACTON (gk), 2.Storm ROUX, 3.Adama TRAORE, 4.Nick ANSELL, 6.Leigh BROXHAM (c), 7.Callum McMANAMAN, 8.Jacob BUTTERFIELD, 9.Rudy GESTEDE, 11.Ben FOLAMI, 13.Birkan KIRDAR, 14.Jay BARNETT, 15.Aaron ANDERSON, 16.Brandon LAUTON, 17.Elvis KAMSOBA, 19.Dylan RYAN, 20.Max CROCOMBE (gk), 22.Jacob BRIMMER, 23.Marco ROJAS, 25.Luis LAWRIE-LATTANZIO, 32.So NISHIKAWA
**2 to be omitted** 

In: 
Out: 
Unavailable: 5.Ryan SHOTTON (quarantine), 10.Robbie KRUSE (injured)


Squad