Socceroos midfielder Carl Valeri is intent on "repaying the faith" Melbourne Victory has shown in him by getting his A-League career off to a flyer.
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After an emotional FFA Cup game against junior club Tuggeranong United last month, the Canberra product is ready for the season proper when the Victory hosts the red-hot Western Sydney Wanderers at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
More than 40,000 fans are expected for the blockbuster featuring the Victory – many pundits' tip for the championship after an off-season spending spree – and Asian Champions League finalists, the Wanderers.
The only downside will be the absence of respective captains Mark Milligan and Valeri's former Tuggeranong teammate Nikolai Topor-Stanley, both of whom are on Socceroos duty in the Middle East.
Valeri was overlooked for the two matches against the United Arab Emirates and Qatar after being recalled for the friendly with Saudi Arabia in London in September.
While the 30-year-old would love to be involved with the national team at January's Asian Cup, his only concern is proving to the Victory he's the right man for the job.
"Victory have signed me for three years, put a lot of faith in me and I want to repay that faith," Valeri said.
"I'm thinking about Western Sydney on Friday, not any further.
"The consequence of playing at my best will put me in contention for the Socceroos.
"If I'm playing well and Melbourne Victory are doing great, that will give me a chance."
Valeri is in his first season in the A-League, joining the Victory on a three-year deal after a decade plying his trade in Italy.
He is part of a recruiting blitz which netted the club Brisbane Roar's Albanian striker Besart Berisha, French central defender Matthieu Delpierre and attacking midfielder Fahid Ben Khalfallah, to go with established stars Milligan, Gui Finkler and Archie Thompson.
There are four Canberra players in the A-League this season – Valeri, Topor-Stanley and Brisbane Roar pair Steve Lustica and Kofi Danning. Youngsters Jordan Tsekenis and George Timotheou are in Sydney FC's youth squad.
Valeri said Topor-Stanley's recall to the Socceroos was deserved, but lamented the fact he and Milligan would miss the season opener.
"It's a bit hard on the clubs, if you're pulling players who are part of the national team, that they miss the opening game," Valeri said.
"We lose our captain and the Wanderers lose their captain.
"It's a really tough situation and one I hope the A-League can review in the future."
The Victory has had an impressive pre-season. The side put six unanswered goals past Tuggeranong in the round of 16 FFA Cup match at Viking Park last month.
More than 5000 fans created an electric atmosphere for a game that will always be dear to Valeri's heart.
"That's one for the memory bank, it won't happen very often so that's one I'll definitely remember as one of my favourite games in my career," Valeri said.
"They put on an excellent show.
"Even though they copped six goals, they didn't stop pressuring us and were a fantastic side to play against."
