Melbourne City coach John van’t Schip is ready to test his new-look glamour side in competitive action tomorrow night.
Appearing before the media earlier today, the Dutchman spoke about his side’s preparations the FFA Cup Round of 32 match against Floreat Athena.
“We know those games can be difficult if you don’t approach it the right way…it’s a cup game and they give everything they have,” said van’t Schip.
“We have to be focused on our own game and our own game plan…that’s why it’s good to have those games because it brings a bit more to it for the boys, a bit more pressure.
“That’s what you need when the A-League is going to start, we are very pleased with this competition.”
After needing some late heroics from former talisman Aaron Mooy to progress past the Round of 32 in the last iteration of the cup, van’t Schip knows that their opponents this time around – Western Australia’s Floreat Athena – will be looking to claim a big scalp tomorrow night.
“It’s a team that is going to be compact, going to be fighting,” said the Dutchman.
“It is all up to us, we have to prepare ourselves…we know what to expect and we have respect for every opponent.
“We have to make sure we are prepared and ready for this game.”
Having already made a number of signings in the offseason, van’t Schip also claimed that his new arrivals are already adapting well to the new surroundings and there are far less injuries plaguing the squad compared to this time in 2015-16.
“Last year we were struggling up until December I think in getting players back from longer injuries…now we are actually very pleased about how the players are,” said van’t Schip.
“We didn’t have any big injuries coming in so that was a big advantage, and also the players we’ve [brought] in are looking good.”
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