Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John Aloisi has reiterated he is not concerned about the structural changes at Sydney FC heading into this weekend’s clash with the Sky Blues.
Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John Aloisi has reiterated he is not concerned about the structural changes at Sydney FC heading into tomorrow’s clash with the Sky Blues.
At the forefront of Aloisi’s mind is providing the catalyst for his side to rebound after a deflating 3-3 draw against Newcastle Jets last Saturday, where his side lapsed to surrender an early 2-0 lead.
“I can-t worry about Sydney too much; I have to worry about my team” Aloisi said.
“The boys have been training really well, the other day when we had our conditioning day was probably our best session of the year so they-ve responded really well and I-m happy where we-re at.
“[It’s a] pity we-re losing players to international duty but it gives the opportunity to some other players.”
Heading into Sunday-s match missing Aziz Behich, Richard Garcia and Michael Marrone due to international duty, Aloisi acknowledges that the side will have to adapt without three key players.
“Of course it-s a blow. It-s good for them to play for the national team, it-s great for the club, but it is a bit of a blow when you-ve got three of your main players out and especially full backs that have been regulars for the last three seasons,” Aloisi said.
“It hurts a little bit to lose them but we-ll just get on with it and try and do our best. We-ve got boys that will come in and hopefully they-ll do well for us.”
Jeremy Walker has been promoted from the National Youth League side to potentially fill the void at right back vacated by Marrone, but Sam Mitchinson and David Vrankovic could start ahead of the 19-year-old, while Matt Thompson could also shift position.
Ben Garuccio is another option, while Golgol Mebrahtu has travelled with the Youth team.
“We’re not 100 per cent sure who we are going to play at right back, more than likely we’ll have Sam Mitchinson at left back,” Aloisi said.
“We’ve got options, it’s never easy to replace someone like Richie, but the players that will come in they’re good players and I’m sure they’ll do well.
“There’s an opportunity [for Walker] because we havent really got a right back; we’ve been trying David Vrankovic at right back but it’s not his natural position.”
“Thommo [Matt Thompson] did play there for Newcastle, but that was quite a long time ago.”
Aloisi admitted that while focussed on his own charges, Sydney FC-s appointment of Frank Farina as Head Coach, coupled with its four game losing streak, could affect the game on Sunday.
“It-s always a dangerous time to play a side when they-ve just appointed a new coach,” Aloisi said.
“We just have to make sure that we concentrate on what we-re doing and if we do our job well we will get a good result, so we can-t worry about Sydney FC too much.
“They just lost to Adelaide 2-1 in the 87th minute; they just lost to Victory 3-2, so they-re not as bad as what people say they are.”
Sunday, 2 December 2012
Sydney FC v Melbourne Heart
Venue: Allianz Stadium
Kick off: 5:00 PM
Referee: Strebre Delovski
Assistant referee 1: Lance Greenshields
Assistant referee 2: Leigh Pigram
Fourth official: Stephen Lucas
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1HD and delayed broadcast on Sky Sport 1. ABC Radio broadcast: Updates only
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #SYDvMH
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au/tickets
Sydney FC squad: 1. Ivan Necevski (gk), 2. Sebastian Ryall, 3. Fabio, 4. Pascal Bosschaart, 6. Jason Culina, 8. Adam Griffiths, 9. Paul Reid, 10. Alessandro Del Piero, 12. Blake Powell, 15. Terry McFlynn, 16. Joel Chianese, 18. Trent McClenahan, 20. Vedran Janjetovic (gk), 21. Yairo Yau, 22. Ali Abbas, 23. Rhyan Grant
*One to be omitted
Ins: 9. Paul Reid (promoted), 12. Blake Powell (promoted), Trent McClenahan (promoted)
Outs: 17. Terry Antonis (Qantas Socceroos international duty), 7. Brett Emerton (Qantas Socceroos international duty)
Unavailable: 17. Terry Antonis (international Duty), 7. Brett Emerton (Qantas Socceroos international duty)
Melbourne Heart squad: 1. Clint Bolton (GK), 4. Simon Colosimo, 5. Fred, 6. Patrick Gerhardt, 8. Matthew Thompson, 9. Dylan Macallister, 10. Josip Tadic, 14. GolGol Mebrahtu, 15. David Williams, 17. Jason Hoffman, 18. David Vrankovic, 19. Ben Garuccio, 20. Andrew Redmayne (GK), 21. Steven Gray, 22. Nick Kalmar, 24. Sam Mitchinson, 25. Jeremy Walker
*Two to be omitted
Ins: 25. Jeremy Walker (promoted – National Youth League)
Outs: 2. Michael Marrone (international duty – Qantas Socceroos), 11. Richard Garcia (international duty – Qantas Socceroos), 16. Aziz Behich (Qantas Socceroos international duty), 13. Jonatan Germano (Fitness – undisclosed), 23. Mate Dugandzic (broken foot 8-12 weeks), 31. Vince Grella (fitness – undisclosed)
Unavailable: Nil
