Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou will hand Francesco Stella a starting debut, with Scott Galloway set to keep his place in Friday night’s clash with Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou will hand Francesco Stella a starting debut, with Scott Galloway set to keep his place in Friday night’s clash with Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Stella, who joined Victory from Scottish side Rangers last month, scored three goals off the bench in the club’s National Youth League win over Central Coast Mariners at the weekend.
With Mark Milligan away on international duty and Nick Ansell injured, Stella will be promoted alongside Jonathan Bru in a reshuffled side.
Galloway, however, will keep his place at right back after the teenager impressed in last week’s 2-1 win over Melbourne Heart.
Postecoglou said Galloway will have to be at his best against the Reds, who exposed Victory down the flanks last time the teams met in December.
“I thought Scotty did really well last week in a pretty tough environment,” he said.
“We think he’s a good player and if we can get some games into him then we think he’ll improve.
“It’s probably where we got done last time in the wide areas so it will be another good challenge for him.”
Victory are second on the ladder, three points behind leaders Central Coast, while United have slumped to fourth place.
The Reds, who were rocked by the surprise resignation of coach John Kosmina last month, ran out 4-2 winners last time out against Victory.
“When you have a change of coach there’s a little bit of instability there,” Postecoglou said.
“It’s never great, but once that whistle goes and the game starts, they’ve got some quality players there.
“They haven’t been where they’ve been all year without them being a good football side.
“You don’t go over there expecting the worst, you go over their expecting the best and their best is pretty good.”
Meanwhile, Postecoglou said he had no issue with Milligan travelling to Spain for Australia’s friendly with Romania on Wednesday.
Milligan was introduced as a substitute with less than 10 minutes to go as the Socceroos were beaten 3-2 by Romania.
“When your country calls, you answer that call,” Postecoglou said.
“That’s how I’ve been brought up. He answered the call and so did we.”
