After the hype of a big Melbourne Derby win, City Head Coach John van’t Schip was quick to bring his side back down to earth on Saturday, saying the focus is now set on continuing their impressive start to the season.
The Dutchman was proud of his charger’s performance as they put four past a strong Victory side at Etihad Stadium. Goals from Bruno Fornaroli, Luke Brattan, Fernando Brandan and a wonder-strike from Tim Cahill put the bow on a rousing performance and van’t Schip believes his team must remain focused on getting the job done and not being overawed by the hype.
“What everybody is saying and writing, we can’t control that. The only thing we can control is work hard, enjoy the football we want to play and improve,” van’t Schip said.
“We’re not walking away from trying to win something. It’s clear we have a goal but it’s about the journey, improving, getting better, and working on the things we’re doing and in the end it has to result in a prize.
“I feel very confident and I feel also that there’s still a lot of improvement to be made. It’s two games in so we’ve done well in Wellington and this evening. For me it’s not enough, we have to improve, we have to get better and championships are not won in the first two games.”
“In 10 days we get (Victory) again in the cup and in less than a week we have a very important game against Perth. We have to enjoy this win, a good win and a special win also for the fans. We now have to prepare and keep on working towards the game we are playing against Perth.”
It was hard to gloss over the performance that saw the Club record its second win at Etihad Stadium and its first 2-0-0 start to the season as the Head Coach lauding his side’s unity as a key factor to the performance.
“There are very good signs and I’m happy to see the things we are working in a game like this – where there is a lot of attention, a lot of people and a lot of expectations – that the boys delivered in a very good way,” he said.
“As a coach you are always looking to keep the control, to keep your players concentrated but you also see while they’re doing that, they are also enjoying the game that they’re playing. That’s clearly important.
“It’s not that we’re defending with only three players. We’re defending with 10 players and the goalkeeper. It’s something we’ve been working on and we still have to improve. We’re going to have moments where it doesn’t look as good as this evening, that’s why we can’t just relax and sit down. It’s only two games we’ve played and there is a whole season in front of us.”
van’t Schip and City will now prepare for Friday night’s first home match at AAMI Park – a fortress where they had only recorded three losses last season – as they take on a Perth side who are coming off a convincing win over Wellington.
City and Sydney are the only teams to record maximum points from the two matches so far this season and the Glory and Newcastle join the top two as the only teams undefeated heading into Round 3.
With five epic battles between the sides last season, there will be no doubt there will be fireworks this Friday night as the we take on Kenny Lowe’s side.
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