Adelaide United is refreshed and patiently await the winners of Sunday afternoon’s A-League elimination final between Melbourne City and Perth Glory.
It will be the Melburnians’ first ever final at AAMI Park and they will look to overcome the poor results that have taken in from their final two rounds.
Coach John van’t Schip was not giving away any tactical or formational decisions as he met the press on Saturday morning, but was welcoming the challenges they face.
City played the Glory as recently as two weeks ago. With the golden opportunity of winning the league squandered, the Dutchman also said they would try to expose the team at home.
“The game is something that we’ve looked forward to the whole week. We didn’t know what would happen, since we knew we would play at home, we’ve been preparing and had a good week of training,” Van’t Schip said.
“It’s different because it’s our home ground, we have a good record here. We have the support of our fans and they’re travelling.
“Those are all things that normally an advantage, in the end you go out there on the pitch and it’s 11 versus 11, beforehand it’s something you think that could be an advantage, but you have to perform and go out there and do your job.”
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Over both squads, there is a vast spread of talent on the pitch with the likes of Diego Castro, Andy Keogh and Kristian Vadocz lining up for the Westerners. Conversely, City have their consistent performers Aaron Mooy and Bruno Fornaroli.
But the hosts will go into the game without star man Harry Novillo after the halftime melee which arose in last week’s game against Adelaide United.
“Keogh’s done really well since he came in to the team and has lifted. Vadocz has given them another strength onto the midfield, we know they’re a balanced team,” he said.
“That’s the strength of them, they’re dangerous with crosses, high balls and second balls. We know that, we have to be prepared for that battle.
“We also see they’re vulnerable, that’s our strengths and weaknesses. It’s up to us to make sure we profit from our strong points and punish their weak points.
“We’ve played without Harry before, we’ll come up with something tomorrow as well. That’s always with those kind of things, injuries and suspensions, we just move on and go onto the next option.”
After making the semi-final last season, where they were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by crosstown rivals Melbourne Victory, van’t Schip was looking to go one better this season.
“We’re looking at the game as separate, win the game and move forward. We always have goals, we want to get higher, and our goal now in the playoffs is to win it,” he said.
“That’s what we have to go for, so we’re not thinking about next year. If we were to get in to the Semi and not get into the Grand Final.
“I think we should have the goal now we’re in the playoffs to get into the Grand Final and win it.”
Fornaroli who took out the golden boot award is expected to continue his good form in the finals and the City boss has just urged him to enjoy the occasion.
“He loves playing big games, he’s coming from a culture of always competing and fighting. Bruno he will be up to it, he’s shown that,” he said.
“I think it’s important the players go out there and enjoy it, it’s great we’ve achieved getting into the playoffs and now it’s also going out there and enjoying these games by playing your best, every player’s goal should be that.”
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