STEFAN Nigro has taken the A-League by storm.
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The former Ballarat boy put his name up in lights with a stunning man-of-the-match performance in his Melbourne Victory debut on Friday night.
Nigro played a big hand in Victory’s 4-0 win over ladder-leaders Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park.
The 19-year-old excelled at right-back, where time and again he beat his opponent. That was no easy feat given he was standing two-time Johnny Warren Medallist Thomas Broich.
Nigro, who plays in the National Youth League as a midfielder, nutmegged Broich and even carried off a flick over the German's head before starting a move that led to Victory's third goal.
He was substituted in the 64th minute to a standing ovation from Melbourne fans.
"I'm just extremely happy - I'm over the moon to be honest," The former Ballarat Clarendon College student told The Courier on Saturday.
"First and foremost with the way the team played and the way we performed attitude-wise and football-wise. We outplayed Brisbane across all dynamics.
"And to be apart of that in what was probably our best game of the season and to contribute the way I did defensively, (by) doing my job for the team and doing the basics well, is a sense of achievement."
I'm just extremely happy - I'm over the moon to be honest."
- Stefan Nigro
Official A-League statistics showed Nigro made 27 passes at an accuracy of 51.9 per cent and won all six duels and three tackles he was part of for the night.
The Ballarat Red Devils graduate said he was pleased to have done his job.
“That was my goal to beat my opponent and I did it,” he said.
“I’m thrilled just to have made my debut and make a good contribution to the team.”
Nigro said he didn’t expect to be a regular in the Victory starting line-up with experienced players set to return to the side, but admitted he would love to have more opportunities in both the A-League and Asian Champions League in the future.
Victory coach Kevin Muscat was one of the many that praised Nigro’s senior debut.
"You don't need any words from me, you witnessed it yourself," Muscat said after the match.
"He felt a bit nervous a couple of days ago ... he was outstanding tonight."
Muscat was less pleased with the nutmeg.
"I'll have to have words with him about that because keeping possession is more important," he dead-panned.
Victory sits fifth on the table following Friday’s demolition job and now starts preparing for the Australia Day (January 26) encounter with Sydney FC.
with Ben McKay