Berisha, Valeri impress Muscat

Kevin Muscat
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Besart Berisha, Carl Valeri and Matthieu Delpierre all played as Victory defeated National Premier Leagues Victoria side Bentleigh Greens 3-0 in a friendly on Tuesday.

Connor Pain, Leigh Broxham and Jesse Makarounas were on the score sheet for the A-League powerhouse, but it was the fortunes of the newcomers that prompted a clutch of hardy Victory supporters to brave the cold at a foggy Kingston Heath Soccer Complex. 

"They seem to have settled in quite well," Muscat said when asked about his star signings.

"Obviously for Carl and Matthieu, (they're) getting used to local football here in Australia, but all three acquitted themselves tonight."

Brazilian playmaker Guilherme Finkler, who signed a new deal with the club in March, was not involved on Tuesday, but should be in contention to face another NPL Victoria side in the form of Hume City next week.

"Hopefully we'll add Gui Finkler and Scotty (Scott Galloway) and Jordy (Jordan Brown) to the group from tonight to start getting some work into those (players).

"Gradually, week by week, we'll improve, not only the conditioning aspect of the game but also the tactical awareness.

"I thought there was some good football tonight. I was most pleased with the way we pressed and (I) took a lot out of the game from that perspective."

Melbourne Victory's pre-season preparations will ramp up a gear when they travel to Perth to play Bayswater City in the FFA Cup round of 32 on August 20.
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