City coach warns United: “We’re ready and we’re going for it”
On the form of both sides, Adelaide United’s do-or-die clash with Melbourne City at Coopers Stadium tonight could be one of the more free-wheeling finals in recent seasons.
Bruce Djite and Melbourne City's Connor Chapman contest the ball during their previous meeting this month. Photo: Julian Smith, AAP.
Whatever the semi-final outcome, Melbourne City coach John van `t Schip feels his side deserve to be seen as a success this season.
They’ve re-written every attacking record in the book, with the feats of Bruno Fornaroli and Aaron Mooy fresh in the mind.
A review of the season’s scorelines involving City reinforces their position as the league’s entertainers.
A pair of 5-1 wins on the bounce. A 4-2 win. A 3-2 win. Two 3-2 losses. Three 3-1 wins. A 4-3 loss. Three 2-2 draws.
We want silverware but it’s also about remembering the way that we have played
It’s been all action, all the time with City and van `t Schip feels that should loom large in the mind when it comes time for any review of their campaign.
“Looking at football, without looking at results, we have improved very big,” he said.
“Made some big steps. Played some good games. Scored a lot of goals. Individual players really stamping their marks and making big improvements.
“We want to play exciting football. We want to give the people something when they come to the stadium or watch on TV.
“We want silverware but it’s also about remembering the way that we have played.”
That’s not to say van `t Schip wouldn’t be delighted with a 1-0 win on Friday night thanks to an own goal.
“If you would play an ugly game and win I think everybody would be happy at this moment,” he said.
“If that would be the case the whole year then we have a problem … now with two games remaining, it’s more about the result.”
A dark note on their glistening campaign might be Harry Novillo, who was suspended in disgrace for his role in a domestic dispute with his partner that saw him handcuffed and escorted from his apartment by police.
Both he and the club have refused to be drawn on the incident.
The French winger let himself and the club down again on City’s last meeting with Adelaide United.
In the melee that broke out at half-time, Novillo kicked out and was slugged a two-game ban for his actions but van `t Schip wasn’t keen to discuss Novillo’s role in the fracas.
“We tried to appeal it. We didn’t win. We move on,” he said.
Van `t Schip is adamant his absence wouldn’t affect the club as it guns for a first grand final appearance in six seasons.
“This is a big opportunity and we’re ready for it and we’re going for it.”
-AAP
