The A-League is enjoying a boom in crowds and television ratings after a strong start to the competition.

Valeri said he was gobsmacked by the intensity of the Melbourne derby and league football in general.

Valeri, 30, left the country as an Australian Institute of Sport graduate in 2002 to join Inter Milan's youth team as a raw 18 year-old.

After spending two seasons in Milan and a decade in Italy's second division, the Socceroos midfielder this year joined Victory.

From what he's seen so far he has no regrets about his decision to come home.

"I always dreamed of playing in Italy," Valeri said.

"I dreamed of playing in Serie A and although I did not get to play a game in the top division I did get there with Sassuolo.

"But if Australian football were as good in 2002 as it is now I doubt if I would have gone at such a young age.

"I would have used the league here as a stepping stone to build myself as a professional player before venturing overseas.

"Maybe I went away when I was too young. I was entering a big pond and I was just a little fish, really.

"I probably needed some more nurturing."

Valeri said he would strongly advise any ambitious young Australian player to be patient and think hard before making the big leap to Europe.

"That's the best approach in my opinion," Valeri said.

"Australia has a high standard now and clubs tend to look after young players.

"They should stay here and get more experience working with guys like (Victory coach) Kevin Muscat who has been there and done that."

Valeri has played in many regional derbies during his time with Grosseto and Sassuolo but last weekend was his first taste of a city derby and he was amazed by the size and atmosphere of the crowd at Etihad Stadium.

Victory underlined its title credentials by beating Melbourne City 5-2 in a pulsating match watched by 44,000 fans.

Valeri said he had rarely played in front of such a huge and passionate crowd at club level and he would not forget the occasion in a hurry.

"Only once, in a match against Napoli at the San Paolo, did I play before such a big crowd," Valeri said.

"The derby was fantastic and the atmosphere was unbelievable, the best I've seen in my club career.

"I have to take my hat off to the fans who supported us all night.

"To see so many people chanting for Victory was amazing and all the boys really appreciated it.

"We definitely want to put on a spectacle for them every game.

"Everyone in Melbourne is talking about the match so that is a good thing.

"I watched the Sydney derby on television and that was special too.

"Yes, coming home is looking like one of the best decisions I've made in my career.

"Being part of such a professional club as Victory helps too. It is the benchmark.

"The quality of Victory's football compares favourably with that of teams in the top half of Italy's Serie B for sure ... and a few Serie A clubs as well."

Valeri will miss Victory's FFA Cup tie at Perth Glory on Wednesday after the club's medical staff recommended a week's rest.

"My body was feeling a bit tired and the medical staff thought I would be better off if I missed the trip to Perth and be right for the match against Wellington Phoenix on Monday," he said.

"The thing about Victory is we have a lot of depth so I don't think they'll miss me too much."