Perth Glory head coach David Zdrilic has expressed the importance of converting Perth’s European football fans into supporters of the Isuzu UTE A-League club as his side prepares to play Italian giants AC Milan at a packed HBF Park.
It’s the latest of several international friendlies between Perth and a European club in recent years, with Manchester United, Chelsea and West Ham United having all ventured Down Under to take on the Isuzu UTE A-League outfit since 2019.
Glory’s meeting with AC Milan at HBF Park comes after Welsh football sensation Wrexham’s tour of Australia and New Zealand, where bumper crowds flocked to see the Championship club take on Wellington Phoenix, Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory.
ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PERTH GLORY v AC MILAN
Both Sydney FC and Wellington defeated Wrexham on their pre-season tour; after the Sky Blues downed the Welsh side 2-1 at Allianz Stadium, the expected question was posed to head coach Ufuk Talay: how do you think your side would fare competing alongside Wrexham in the English Championship?
But Talay wasn’t willing to compare “apples with oranges.” His response instead focused on the unique strengths of Australian football – something Zdrilic hopes his side can draw from when Perth’s clash with Milan kicks off on Thursday night.
“Yeah, look, I don’t, I personally don’t like this comparison,” Talay said after defeating Wrexham.
“They play in their own competition, we play in our own competition and I don’t think we’re comparing apples with apples at the same time.
“It’s apples with oranges. Their budgets compared to our budgets are totally different.
“But one thing I will say, our game is the A-League.
“So we should love and support our domestic game regardless, because it is our game.”
In the build-up to Thursday night’s Milan friendly, Zdrilic fronted the media at the club’s new home in Mirrabooka, in the north of Perth.
GET YOUR TICKETS TO PERTH GLORY v AC MILAN!
The Glory boss was asked about the importance of performing well against Milan, in front of what’s expected to be a near-sell-out crowd made up predominantly of Western Australian football fans who may go walking through the gates expecting a dominant display from the Italian giants, only to be served up a surprise from their local Isuzu UTE A-League club.
“It’s important. You see when the top teams come to Australia, not just Perth, but anywhere in Australia, there are always big crowds and a lot of following,” Zdrilic said.
“We obviously want those same fans to come and follow us every week all around Australia in the A-League.
“Wrexham was a great example. The fans that were following Wrexham, you know, I think it was 40,000 against Sydney FC. And Uffy (Ufuk Talay) after that game, said we need these guys coming every week.
“It’s the same thing (here). It’s great that we follow world football, but we need and have to produce the football and the environment and the league for the fans to come out there.
“But I think you saw against Wrexham where Wellington and Sydney and Melbourne did very well against them, that we have the quality over the league, we just need the fans to embrace it.
“This is going to be a great occasion, We want all the fans to come out and enjoy AC Milan but we also want them to be enjoying the process and the progress that we’re making.”
ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PERTH GLORY v AC MILAN
In Sydney and Wellington’s surprise wins over Wrexham, it was the academy kids from Isuzu UTE A-League clubs who stole the show.
Sydney beat Wrexham 2-1 thanks to a match-winner from 18-year-old Joe Lacey, an academy prospect with Welsh heritage. Wellington beat Wrexham 1-0 despite head coach Giancarlo Italiano fielding an academy side for a full 45 minutes at Sky Stadium. One of those academy kids was 19-year-old Luke Flowerdew, who bagged the winning goal in front of more than 25,000 fans at Sky Stadium.
With the focus now turning to what Glory can produce against AC Milan, Zdrilic hinted at opportunities for young players within the club who, in the days leading into the game, may be completely unaware of the opportunities that could come their way on Thursday night.
In 2023, Glory hosted West Ham at Optus Stadium and despite losing to the Premier League side, there was one unforgettable moment for the club and 17-year-old Daniel Bennie, who bagged his first senior goal for the club in some style.
They’re the moments these international friendlies can elevate for emerging players at Isuzu UTE A-League clubs dreaming of one day playing for clubs with the international acclaim of AC Milan.
“I’m sure there are a couple of boys in (the squad) that are not even going to be aware that they’re going to have some time in the AC Milan game,” Zdrilic said.
“And again, that goes back to the whole thing: you can be in one position, playing in the youth team, in the NPL one day, and then the next day you’re playing some minutes against AC Milan. That’s just the beauty of football.
“Your life can change very quickly in moments like these, when you don’t expect it, it can fall in front of you. So I hope they enjoy it. I hope they embrace it, and it’s just a great experience for everyone.”
LOCKED IN: Dates for 2025-26 A-Leagues season confirmed
Match details
Perth Glory v AC Milan
Date: Thursday, July 31
Venue: HBF Park
Kick-off: 6.20pm AWST / 8.20pm AEST
Broadcast: Network Seven
