Kevin Muscat, Leigh Broxham and Besart Berisha walk into a bar at Etihad Stadium’s Medallion Club for the A-League launch. No, this isn’t setting the scene for a joke. They are all dead serious about Melbourne Victory’s title charge for the 2014/15 Hyundai A-league campaign.
Speaking in front of a media contingent headed by SBS’s Lucy Zelic, each provided insights into the club ahead of their season opener against Western Sydney on Friday.
Head coach Muscat said his side has approached the 10th A-League season looking to go one step further than their two previous campaigns, which both ended one game short of a grand final appearance.
“We come back in and try and improve,” he said.
“Where we’ve been the last couple of years we’ve just fallen short.
“Improving on what we’ve done the last couple of years will suggest we’ll have a good season.”
Having been a navy blue since 2006, vice-captain Broxham was reflective about his time at Victory, describing it as a “family”.
“I’ve been around a long time,” he said.
“We’re often referred to as the Victory family and it’s a special place to be.
“I don’t take it for granted at all.”
The midfielder also lauded his A-League rivals’s recruitment over the winter, but believed his side was ready for the challenge and excited to open their season against Asian Champions League finalists Western Sydney.
“Every [team in the league] has recruited well and everyone has improved recruitment-wise from last year and the coaching has improved as well,” he said.
“I think Western Sydney will be a great test for us.
“Obviously they’ve had four competitive games and they’re doing well in the [Asian Champions League] and I think Friday night will be a test for us.”
Of all inclusions to Victory’s squad in the off-season, marquee man Berisha commands the most attention.
The former Brisbane Roar superstar made the transition from orange to blue at the conclusion of last season, and the striker believed his move was the right one – at least for cosmetic reasons.
“I think blue is looking better on me,” he joked.
“I’m settling in really good, me and my family are really enjoying Melbourne.
“Coming from Europe and a big city I feel at home in Melbourne, I really enjoy every day.”
Melbourne Victory will commence season 10 of the Hyundai A-league at Etihad Stadium against the Wanderers, putting an end to the five month off-season.
Set to draw a big crowd, both sides will be looking to kick-start their championship aspirations.
Melbourne Victory’s Round 1 clash with Western Sydney Wanderers is on Friday October 10, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30pm and the match broadcast live on SBS1 and Fox Sports.