In the short history of the A-league Melbourne Victory have become the first two time championship winners. This is a compassion of the of the respective match day squads.
Melbourne Victory match day squad Grand Final 2006/07
GK M. Theokiltos
RB S. Pantelidis
CB R. Vargas
CB A. Leijer
LB S. Storey
CDM K. Muscat (c)
CDM G. Brebner
CAM A. Caceres
CAM Fred
ST A. Thompson
ST D. Allsopp
Subs
GK E. Galekovic
LB Alessandro
CM L. Broxham
CAM K. Sarkies
ST J. Robinson
Melbourne Victory match day squad Grand Final 2008/09
GK M. Theokilitos
RB S. Ryall
CB K. Muscat (c)
CB R. Vargas
LB M. Kemp
CDM B. Celeski
RM T. Pondeljak
LM N. Ward
CAM C. Hernandez
ST A. Thompson
ST D. Allsopp
Subs
GK M. Langerak
CDM G. Brebner
CDM J. Luis Lopez
LW/LWB E. Berger
ST Ney Fabiano
In the 2007 grand final Melbourne played in a 4-2-2-2 formation, whilst for the 09 grand final a 4-1-2-1-2 formation was used.
Goalkeeper
In both of the championship winning sides M. Theokiltos has been the man with the gloves. For most of the past season form wise it had been Theokiltos worst season out of the last three. However towards the end of the season Theokilitos rediscovered the form that made him one of the A-leagues best goalkeepers and with another two years of playing experience under his belt the 2009 Theokiltos was an approved version on the 07 Theokiltos.
Sub goalkeeper.
Since moving from Melbourne E. Galekovic has became the A-leagues leading goalkeeper. However Galekovic's replacement as victory's second choice goalkeeper M. Langerak at only 20 years of age has massive potential and in his handful of appearances has already shown his immense talent. The subs goalkeepers from the two championship sides are even.
Right back.
S. Ryall (09) and S. Pantelidis (07). In both sides a CB is being played out of position at RB. However Ryall played in the 09 grand final at a younger age (19) then Pantelidis was in 07 (23). Also the fact that Pantelidis was in Melbourne's 08/09 season squad but Ryall was chosen ahead of him indicates the 09 team was stronger at RB.
Centre backs.
(07) A. Leijer and R. Vargas, (09) R. Vargas and K. Muscat. The 07 team had a better CB pairing. Firstly because A. Leijer is a better CB the K. Muscat. Secondly although Muscat is a tremendous leader it this can't make up for his lack of speed. Thirdly A. Leijer at 1.86 m added some much needed height to the Melbourne defence.
Left back.
In the 2007 side S. Storey was a solid left back useful when going forward. Although M. Kemp (09) received a lot of abuse from his own fans in his first season, he has been one of Melbourne's best players this season, providing much needed width to the team and beginning and joining in attacks well. M. Kemp is a better LB.
Defensive midfielder.
In 07 victory used two CDM K. Muscat who is a great leader, good tackler and decent passer and G. Brebner who is a great tackler a posses a dangerous long shot. In 09 victory just used the one CDM B. Celski. B. Celeski is a better passer and more likely to build up a dangerous attack. However B. Celeski is only an average tackler and blocks space rather then tackle players to brake up opponents attacks. In 07 they were better defensive CDM. In 09 B.Celeski was a better all round CDM. Because there quite different it depends on your style of play which year is better. Since in both 07 and 09 victory played an attacking style B. Celeski is the better CDM.
Midfielders.
(07) A. Caceres CAM, (09) T. Pondeljak RM and N. Ward (LM). In the 07 season A. Caceres was used to provide width and played with a lot of attacking intent, however for all this intent he didn't produce much end product. Although T. Pondeljak and N. Ward lined up as RM and LM they played with very little width. Both T. Pondeljak and N. Ward have good creative ability with the ball. The 09 combination are just a little better then A. Caceres in 07.
Attacking midfielders.
(07) CAM Fred, (09) CAM C. Hernandez. Although in theory Fred was supposed to play on the oppisite side to A. Caceres, he would drift inside to play behind
A. Thompson and D. Allsopp. Fred was good with the ball at his feet, short passes and had good endurance. C. Hernandez is goood in tight spaces, dangerous from set pieces, good passer and has a good shot. Although they have different strengths Fred and C. Hernandez are equally good players.
Forwards.
In both years A. Thompson and D. Allsopp have been Melbourne's first choice forward partnership and in both 2007 and 09 they have shown the same good form. There is nothing to chose between 07 and 09.
Subs
ST (07) J. Robinson and ST (09) Ney Fabiano. Ney Fabiano is Melbourne's third best ever striker, he's a better player then J. Robinson
CM L. Broxham and CAM K. Sarkies (07), CDM J. Luis Lopez and CDM G. Brebner (09). Although the players from the two years don't play in the same positions, the are all midfielders. The reason victory 09 has two CDM on the bench is because the four staring midfielders are all strong attack wise. The two midfielders for the 09 team are better. J. Luis Lopez has played for Costa Rica and L. Broxham is still at the club but was kept out of grand final by Lopez and G. Brebner.
LB Alessandro (07) and LW/LWB E. Berger (09). These are equal in terms of ability. Alessandro was a good dribbler however was a poor crosser and went to ground easily. E. Berger is still young and has shown his potential at times.
The 09 version of the victory team is equal to or better then the 07 victory team in all areas across the pitch except at CB where the loss of A. Leijer has still not been sufficiently replaced.
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