Berisha plays down pressure factor

Besart Berisha said Melbourne Victory isn't feeling the pressure despite the A-League Premier's Plate being potentially one win away.

f

Besart Berisha will go through the range of emotions for the second time in three days, against his ex-club Brisbane Roar. (Getty) Source: Getty Images Asia Pacific

Victory faces Berisha's former club, Brisbane Roar, on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium, the second time in four days the two sides will meet.
If results go Victory's way in the three other matches scheduled before facing Roar - all featuring the A-League's remaining title contenders - it could clinch the premiership with another win.

"This is something every football player plays, to win things like that," Berisha said. "We should not be nervous, we should enjoy it and try everything to win it."

Notoriously passionate in his approach to football, almost to a fault, Berisha admits he felt a "very bad feeling" when he scored against Roar in Wednesday's 2-1 triumph.

The result put the Melbourne club three points clear on top of the ladder, with a seven-goal differential over second-placed Sydney FC.

In his first appearance at Suncorp Stadium since leaving the Roar, Berisha was in the thick of the action, antagonising his old teammates in trademark style and lapping up the affection of the crowd.

"I didn't feel good but I know, and everybody knows, the way I am," he said.

"It was a very emotional game for me being back at Suncorp for the first time.

"I really miss it.

"But I knew I had a big job to do for my club and I'll try my best to do that."

Brisbane star Thomas Broich, a close friend of Berisha's, described the relentless Albanian as a "true warrior" and said he was a difficult threat to counter.

He'll only be more dangerous given the inclusion of Victory playmaker Gui Finkler, who missed Wednesday's match but is expected to be passed fit to play on Saturday.

Roar has recalled injured trio Jerome Polenz, Jade North and Brandon Borrello but will be without centre-back Luke DeVere (hamstring) and striker Jean Carlos Solorzano (personal reasons).

Brisbane is assured of playing finals after Perth Glory accepted FFA's sanctions for breaching the salary cap, but it is still a chance of catching fifth-placed Melbourne City.

Broich said his side's failure to control the game, not the effects of fatigue due to its AFC Champions League campaign, was the reason for Wednesday's defeat.

"It's always easy to say after a loss, 'you guys looked a bit flat,' but I don't think that was the issue," he said.

"We allowed them to boss the game and that to me was the issue.

"If we bring our A game we're a chance of actually beating them."


Share
Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service. Read more about Sport
Have a story or comment? Contact Us

Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service.
Watch nowOn Demand
Follow SBS Sport
3 min read
Published 17 April 2015 1:53pm

Share this with family and friends