It’s the final round of the regular season and there is a lot more than just form riding on Sunday’s clash with Perth for City and Head Coach Michael Valkanis.
His side have the chance to secure a home final as well as a spot in the Asian Champions League qualification stages with three points over the Glory on Sunday night and the Head Coach is positive his side can trek across the Nullarbor to secure third place.
“It’s a very important game, third spot is the spot we’ve been eyeing for some time since it became impossible to get second spot,” Valkanis said.
“It’s a game that will bring us very close to qualifying for the ACL as well and for our Club and that’s very significant.
“The most important thing is that we perform well, play really good football and take away the three points.”
It will be no easy feat for City to walk away from nib Stadium with three points – with Perth’s current form and the Club’s current record at the ground – but Valkanis is upbeat about the task set out for his side, saying they are up for the challenge.
“The last couple of times that we played them, we’ve had two home games where we should have come out victors in both,” he said.
“We created enough opportunities and enough possession and enough good goal scoring chances to win both games but they’re a team that never gives up, they’re physical and they work very hard for one another and they play well on the counter.
“We’ve learned from those two games and we’ve worked very hard at training this week in regards to how Perth set up, what they might do to try to expose us and what they have done in the previous games as well.
“We’re quite confident going into this game that if we perform to our best – which I think we can and the boys are up for it – we’re really looking forward to a good performance and coming away with the three points.”
With the return of Michael Jakobsen last week and his side being back to the full compliment barring the long-term injuries list, the Head Coach is looking forward to the prospect of fielding the strongest side possible heading into an important pre-curser for the first week of the Finals Series.
“It’s very pleasing, the last 10 weeks has been difficult in missing some players and important players at that,” he said.
“You have to make some changes to balance up the side and this time were going in with a full strength squad and everyone fighting for a position. It’s great to be able to go into a game like this.
City take on Perth on Sunday night in the final match of Round 27, kick-off 7pm. See the match live on Fox Sports 505.
Member’s Finals priority ticketing information will be sent out shortly after the final whistle of Sunday’s match. Keep an eye on your inbox and melbournecityfc.com.au for all ticketing details.
