Melbourne City FC Head Coach John van’t Schip spoke with the media on Thursday morning as his side nears the season opener against Sydney FC and prepares for the arrival of David Villa next Tuesday.
The Dutchman was confident his side is ready to face Sydney FC with the pre-season coming into its final stages.
“Its going to be a tough game [against Sydney].” van’t Schip said.
“I think with the pre-season they have and their confidence, I don’t think it’s going to be an easy game but I don’t think any game will be easy in the A-League,
“We are prepared and we are looking forward to the season as well, it has been a long pre-season and we’re up for it so it’s going to be a great game.”
van’t Schip expects Round One to be a tactical battle between both teams and van’t Schip was adamant that his side will stick to its strengths.
“We know the game we want to play,” he said.
“We have to be prepared for any kind of team we are playing against and whatever playing style they have. Our style is not going to change, we like to dominate, we like to keep the ball and if we play against a team that is stronger than us and dominates us, then we have to defend, that’s the way it is.”
The Melbourne City FC Head Coach also revealed his plans for David Villa, saying he’ll assess Villa’s ability to play in the first game when he arrives in Melbourne on Tuesday.
“We have to talk to him, hes a professional, he will give a good indication where he thinks he is himself [fitness-wise] and we will have a good look when he’s on the pitch. We’ll make a decision on what role he’ll play in the first game and what role he’ll play in the games to come.” he said.
“David Villa is a world class player, he played in the Champions League final last year, he was at the World Cup with Spain, he’s won everything that you can win so I don’t think that anybody needs to be clarified of what he is able to do.”
