Sydney FC get set to face Melbourne City on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium (kick off 7:30pm) in the opening round of the Hyundai A-League and there has been one player drawing the limelight ahead of the clash.
Spanish all-time leading goal scorer David Villa has been claiming the headlines in the build up, however Sky Blues Head Coach Graham Arnold isn’t fazed by the import and believes his squad possess the strength to deal with the former Atletico Madrid front man.
“It’s great for us and it’s a great challenge for us,” Arnold said.
“But if you talk to our players there’s no fear, it’s excitement. Nikola Petkovic and Sasa Ognenovski have played against some big name players so they won’t be over awed at all.
“For me it’s about us, it’s what we’ve been working hard to do,” he continued.
“It’s going to be Melbourne City’s problem fitting him into what they do and I think they’ve got enough quality that if you man mark him, well then someone else will hurt you.
“I’ve hardly mentioned his name this morning, there’s too many good players out there to focus on one.”
Arnold said he’s looking forward to his first game in charge tomorrow night and he believes the Sky Blues have progressed well in the four months he has been at the helm.
“I can’t wait for tomorrow night,” he said.
“It’s been a long time coming and Allianz is one of my favourite stadiums. I’m real excited to see how the boys go.
“We’ve put a lot work in, in the four months that I’ve been here, the boys have bought in a lot to what we’re doing and I couldn’t be happier with where they’re at.
“It’s going to be a great night. We’ve made a lot of changes, changes take time and we need to have patience, but as I said the progression has been enormous.”
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