Melbourne Heart FC’s much vaunted depth is set to be tested once again this weekend, with General Manager, Football Operations John Didulica expecting another rotation of its starting line-up against Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.
Melbourne Heart FC-s much vaunted depth is set to be tested once again this weekend, with General Manager, Football Operations John Didulica expecting another rotation of its starting line-up on Sunday.
A heavy schedule of three matches in six days looks to have taken a toll on Heart-s youthful starting eleven, forcing the Club-s coaching staff to modify the squad-s training schedule this week.
Players who featured in the bulk of Heart-s recent matches have been granted a reprieve for the first half of the week, enabling the side to adequately recover in time for the weekend-s trip across the Tasman.
“We’ve had a really heavy schedule since the last derby, so we’ve had to manage the resources we’ve had pretty effectively and that won’t change this weekend,” Didulica said.
“We’ve shuffled the squad to ensure we’ve got as many fresh bodies as possible and last Saturday was a good indication that it’s worked.
“With our schedule we could’ve easily run out of legs but we stayed with them for the full 90, plus Brisbane are an ultra-fit team.”
Defender Brendan Hamill sent a brief scare through the Heart camp when he was substituted during the second half of the Club-s 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park, complaining of discomfort in his knee.
Didulica revealed however the Young Socceroo only suffered a knock, and would most likely be fit for selection against the Wellington Phoenix.
“Hamill had more of a nasty knock than anything, so should be available,” he said.
“Curtis had some hamstring soreness but more indicative of fatigue and an 18-year-old body and three games in six days. Germano hurt his hamstring but the MRI showed no damage.”
