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Arthur Diles following Victory\u2019s win on the road against Western Sydney Wanderers.<\/p>\nArthur Diles is looking forward to a buzzing AAMI Park crowd cheering on Victory in tomorrow night\u2019s Big Blue Elimination Final.<\/p>\n
Headlining Melbourne Victory\u2019s Finals double-header against rivals Sydney FC on Saturday, May 2, kick-off 7:40pm AEST, the Boys in Blue simply must kill or be killed in order to progress through to the Isuzu UTE A-League\u2019s Semi-Final stage.<\/p>\n
Securing a vital three points against Western Sydney Wanderers at CommBank Stadium in Round 26, combined with a 2-2 draw between Sydney and Auckland FC. confirmed Victory\u2019s place in fourth on the ladder to close out the regular season.<\/p>\n
The A-League Men\u2019s clash will follow the A-League Women\u2019s team going head-to-head with Melbourne City in a Ninja A-League Finals Series Semi-Final (Leg 1), kick-off 5pm.<\/p>\n
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Diles, primed for his second Finals series as Head Coach, talked about how his side can benefit from playing in front of a home crowd, something they exercised in January\u2019s 4-0 thrashing of the Sky Blues. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve earned the privilege and the right to play at home, which is fantastic for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got our game, which will be a fantastic spectacle. And then you\u2019ve got the Women playing before us in a double-header. We expect this place to be buzzing tomorrow night, and we can\u2019t wait to get out there and see this place full.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019ll be a great battle all over the park. They\u2019ve had one of the best defences in the league \u2013 we\u2019ve got a great attack. It\u2019s going to come down to who makes the least amount of errors and who can win both boxes; that\u2019s what we\u2019ve got to be ready for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arthur Diles following Victory\u2019s win on the road against Western Sydney Wanderers.<\/p>\n
With the team returning unscathed from the trip to Western Sydney, Diles was pleased to reveal positive updates on Juan Mata, who featured off the bench at CommBank Stadium, as well as Reno Piscopo and Franco Lino after each was a late withdrawal from Round 26.<\/p>\n
\u201cJuan\u2019s been fantastic the last two weeks. Last week he had joined in full training, so he was ready to go for the Wanderers match, and this week he\u2019s just continued that. He\u2019s up for selection to start.<\/p>\n
\u201cReno\u2019s come back, he pulled up sore last week. Lino\u2019s recovered as well. They\u2019re back now, full fitness and ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Watch Diles\u2019 full press conference below.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777441689_382_Finals_ALounge_1200x400.jpg\")
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