Kosta Barbarouses believes Friday night’s Melbourne Derby has the ‘perfect script’ as Melbourne Victory aims to close the gap on Melbourne City.
Victory heads into the clash at AAMI Park four points behind third-placed City with six games to play before finals.
Barbarouses was on the winning side in the last clash between the two sides, thanks to a 96th minute Mark Milligan penalty.
WATCH: Milligan’s Derby winner
“We’ve both won one game against each other this season, you couldn’t write a better script,” Barbarouses said.
“Derbies never get boring or go stale, that’s for sure.”
The Victory winger hopes his side can carry momentum from Saturday’s performance against Adelaide United and make it two wins on the bounce.
“We were very positive and played smartly,” said Barbarouses referring to the Adelaide win.
“We were also pretty clinical when it mattered and we just need to carry on like that.”
WATCH: It’s all to play for on Friday night
It's all to play for on Friday night! Be there: https://t.co/GtQFpA7zew #MVFC #MelbDerby pic.twitter.com/EZwbVAjfaV
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) February 27, 2018
A good result in Friday’s Derby would provide Victory with a big boost as the Hyundai A-League finals draw closer.
“It’s crucial [to find form at this stage],” admitted the Victory number nine.
“We’re hunting them down for third place, so we need to get the win and then go from there.”
Barbarouses also spoke of the team’s Asian Champions League campaign and believes the competition doesn’t serve as a disadvantage.
“I like playing more games and it means that recovery is crucial. We’re a very fit team and all the boys are pulling up well.
“We overran the opposition on Saturday night and we’ve had plenty of time to recover for Friday night’s game.”
