Christmas lunch is done and dusted and now Melbourne City is focused on the job ahead of them as it prepares to take on Perth Glory at AAMI Park on Tuesday.
City come into the clash looking to get back on the winner’s list after last Saturday’s Melbourne Derby loss – its first in six league and cup matches – and Head Coach John van’t Schip is confident his side have the answer to defeating a stubborn Perth side.
“I think we improved a lot after that game [against Perth],” van’t Schip said.
“They had 14 shots and that was high because when we lost the ball, we were not in a good position so that’s something we have to make sure knowing they play the same game in the transition.
“They will be looking forward and direct to Keogh and Harold and they have all those players that are already looking to receive the ball when we have the ball.
“If we take care of that in a good way, we can play our game and it should be an improvement from the last game.”
Despite Perth’s form over recent weeks, van’t Schip is cautious of the Glory’s ever-present threat in front of goals and as the league has showed, form is history when the two sides head out onto the pitch to battle for the three points.
“It’s another game, it’s a game where we want to get three points,” he said.
“Of course we want to make right from the last game but the A-League is very competitive and you have those results over and over again so it was the third game of the season and we are now 10 games further.
“We just have to make sure we win these types of games. We had a few extra days off and hopefully now everybody is back and fresh and good to head into the next period.”
The Dutchman also confirmed the extent of Michael Jakobsen’s calf injury with the former Danish international set to miss 1-2 weeks with the niggle picked up at training.
Medical staff will monitor the state of his injury over the coming week but he will be touch and go for the New Year’s Eve clash with the Central Coast.
Osama Malik’s quad injury sees the defender set for a little more time on the side lines which could see him back in 2-4 weeks.
City take on Perth Glory in the W-League and A-League on Tuesday at AAMI Park, kick-off 5pm and 7.50pm respectively. Click here to secure your place at the match or sign up to our 5 Match Membership!
