Melbourne Victory manager Grant Brebner has admitted that his side are lacking in match fitness following the recent 3-1 defeat to Brisbane Roar in their first game of the 2020-21 A-League season at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
The Roar took an early lead through a goal from striker Scott McDonald that initially looked offside, but was later adjudged to be onside following a VAR consultation.
Despite the setback, Victory played an inspiring first-half with the brightest moment for the home fans coming in the form of a scorching long range debut goal from Callum McManaman.
But their performance significantly dipped in the second period of play, with Brisbane bagging two more as Macaulay Gillesphey and Dylan Wenzel-Halls got onto the score sheet.
Brebner believes that a lack of match fitness is the cause behind his men failing to consolidate and continue the positive play they had shown in the first-half.
“Look, at half time I didn’t see it coming to be honest,” the Scotsman said on FOX Sports.
“We were in unknown territory, because we hadn’t played any games for three weeks.
“We were taking it on trust we were going to be able to run out the game, and it was evident that we were a little bit short of match fitness.
“They got the goal early then they sat in, and it was hard for us to break them down.
“Look, I think we can have a look at that and improve certainly from where we’re at.”
Victory will lock horns with Brisbane Roar again as when they lock horns with Warren Moon’s men at the Dolphin Stadium on Sunday.
