Valeri in awe of spot rival

Toivonen, Baena in Big Blue mix

IT is rare to hear a professional sportsman admit defeat in their battle to hold down a first-team place, and even rarer when they are a title-winning captain.

But Melbourne Victory skipper Carl Valeri knows his place in the pecking order at the A-League champions when it comes to battling with Spanish import Raul Baena.

“Raul’s a fantastic player. He’s probably better than me,” Valeri said yesterday.

The former Socceroo renewed his term at Victory into a fifth campaign after May’s grand final win knowing coach Kevin Muscat intended to strengthen in central midfield. Baena started the opening two games of the season before a hamstring strain set the Granada loanee back.

Valeri came in without missing a beat, helping the champions record two wins after two tight opening defeats.

It remains to be seen who is given the nod in tomorrow’s Big Blue given Baena’s recovery, but it sounds as though Valeri, 34, is equally as excited to play or watch from the bench.

“I totally understood my role, that Kevin was going to be signing someone else and it was my job to compete for that position,” he said. “I accepted that challenge.

“I believe when he’s fit he’ll change the dynamic of the team. He’s played in La Liga most of his career. You can see he’s got something special.

“I’m looking forward to him coming back, getting his fitness and taking the team to new levels.”

Tomorrow’s clash could be the first time Victory field all three of their internationals together.

Baena’s availability coincides with Ola Toivonen proving his fitness in training and Keisuke Honda’s return from Cambodian national team duties.

Valeri said he believed Toivonen would be involved from the first whistle at Jubilee Oval, but noted the enhanced competition for places.

“Everything’s up in the air. There’s a lot of healthy competition and its great,” he said.

“There’s so many battles in positions, its fantastic.

“The Big Blues are fantastic games. I love playing in them. We all do.

“Two big clubs on a big occasion with fairly new teams so it’s an exciting Big Blue.”