Juan Mata is bringing Melbourne Victory to life and his derby heroics are just scratching the surface of what the superstar can do, says coach Arthur Diles.
The World Cup winner's heroics went viral after he scored two incredible goals and notched an assist to inspire a 3-1 win over Melbourne City.
After a tough time at Western Sydney last season, the brilliant Spaniard has been a revelation at Victory - just not for his coach.
"I'm not surprised. I've been looking forward to that from the moment we signed him and I know that's part of the package when you bring him in," Diles said.
"He's been working ever so hard to be that player but he's had a fantastic season to date and there's still much more in him, still plenty of games to go and the way he's going is exactly what we anticipated when we first signed him.
"It's important that he contributes to the team and it's important that the team rallies behind him and around him as well to help him be the player that he is as well.
"Because he doesn't do that on his own, he does it because he's got great teammates around him and a great environment that allows him to flourish and do the things that he's doing."
Mata has a league-high nine assists plus three goals, but Diles has also relished the 37-year-old's impact on his teammates.
"That brings everyone to life," Diles said.
"And that's part of the job as well when you bring in a player of his stature to contribute on and off the pitch and to stand up in big moments because he's a big player.
"I think when they see that and they feel that around him, they know that he's got their back as well and that's important.
"Last week it was Juan and tomorrow it could be somebody else and it's important that other people stand up as well because last week there was many good performances out there."
Youngster Matt Grimaldi is soaking up every bit of guidance from Mata.
"Unbelievable. I think that's one of the best derby performances we've probably seen," Grimaldi said.
"And he just keeps bringing his A-game every single week and it's amazing for us young boys to watch and learn off him."
Mata will be crucial to Friday night's game against in-form Adelaide at AAMI Park, where a win would allow fifth-placed Victory to leapfrog the Reds and Sydney FC into third place.
"They're up there for a reason," Diles said.
"We want to be above them and tomorrow night's that opportunity to rise above them."
