Melbourne Victory’s Sebastian Esposito remains cautious ahead of Saturday’s A-League match against the Central Coast Mariners, acknowledging the challenge posed by their opponents. The visitors, set to face the Mariners at AAMI Park on March 21, kick off at 5:10pm AEDT. Esposito highlighted the importance of the fixture, noting that the Mariners have proven to be a formidable side in recent encounters. The Mariners last defeated Victory in early January, securing a 3-0 victory over Perth Glory. However, Victory have since improved their form, with their most recent match ending in a 4-1 win against Macarthur FC. The victory saw the team’s 20-year-old defender score his second goal of the 2025/26 season, heading home a corner delivered by Juan Mata. Esposito praised the team’s performance in that match, emphasizing the importance of maintaining consistency over the full 90 minutes. Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Esposito reflected on the previous win, stating, “Obviously, a good three points last week. I thought the boys played very well, and we put together 90 minutes, which was good. Looking forward to tomorrow night.” He also warned of the Mariners’ quality, recalling their previous dominance. “We saw last time they’re a top-quality side, and we can get punished by them. We got rolled by them last time, so for us, we need to make up for that, and we’re going to be looking to claim those three points.” Esposito emphasized the team’s focus on preparation and unity, noting the positive atmosphere within the squad. “There’s a good buzz around the building, and we’re just looking forward to playing every week. I think that, alongside hard work and showing how good we are, is going to help us going forward.#melbourne_victory #aami_park #central_coast_mariners #sebastian_esposito #u_nite_multicultural_round
