Melbourne City will play their first home match of the 2016/17 season on Friday and Head Coach John van’t Schip believes his side are ready for a difficult Glory side.
City has had its best start to a season in Club history however, on the back of a solid 2015/16 season, Glory has continued their momentum into the opening fixtures going unbeaten and the Head Coach is cautious of the challenge ahead.
“Looking at the structure, it didn’t change much from last season,” van’t Schip said.
“They have the same way of playing; physically strong and a lot of speed going forward on the counter. With that, they have some interesting players like Castro, Keogh and Marinkovic. – it’s a good team.
“We know what to expect and we have to be prepared.”
Despite the electrifying derby win, van’t Schip insists that his side is completely focused on the next match.
“We have to perform every time we go onto the pitch. The most important thing is looking forward to our next opponent. We want to continue the way we are playing. It’s hard work and we have to have discipline.
“There’s a lot we can still improve on. We talk about it with the players and we will work on it.
“It’s the intention you must have – the way you want to play. It’s important to work on what you want to see – the vision. And in the end hopefully the performance is good and of course that has to reflect on the result.”
The Dutchman has previously mentioned that there is competition for every spot in the squad and this week is no different.
Thomas Sorensen returns from suspension this week and is no certainty to slip back into the starting eleven after the impressive form of Dean Bouzanis. The only worry for van’t Schip is the role Nicolas Colazo will play on the weekend with the Argentinian sustaining a knock to the ear that the medical team are monitoring.
“[Bouzanis] did well in Wellington and in the derby. He’s closing the gap – that’s for sure.
“You look at the team every time it progresses. You try to change wherever you think it may help in the next step, or because of rest or because they did well and you want to keep that team on.
“But every time something happens that’s also football. You get an injury or a red card or an opponent who plays differently. One player may be right for that game, the next we may need a different kind of player who suits that position better.
“It’s not up to one or two players, but the whole team.”
City prepare to take on Perth Glory this Friday night, kick-off 7.50pm. Don’t forget to head down to AAMI Park for our first home match of the season and make the most of all the pre-match festivities at City Square! Click here to see all the activites at the ground
