Macarthur FC coach Ante Milicic is thrilled to see the impact French playmaker Loic Puyo will have on the new club in their inaugural season in the A-League.
The 31-year-old midfielder is one of Macarthur’s key recruits as they get set to embark on their maiden A-League campaign, which gets underway next month.
Milicic did a lot of research when signing the classy playmaker and likened his left foot to that of ex-Croatia international Aljosa Asanovic.
Having completed his two-week quarantine period, Puyo has begun training with Milicic’s squad and the coach can’t wait to work with his star recruit.
“I’m really excited to see Loic live, because I’ve watched an incredible amount of footage of him and you’re hoping he’s going to come in and make a difference,” Milicic told AAP.
“That’s what you expect of your foreign players – they have to come in and make a difference.
“However, you understand that he’s never played outside France so it’s a new experience for him in these challenging times.
“We’re looking forward to Loic settling in and also showing what he’s capable of on the field.”
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Corica’s challenge to Sydney FC’s youngsters
Sydney FC boss Steve Corica has called on his youngsters to show what they’ve got as competition for the vacant striker role ramps up.
Corica is looking for a candidate to fill the large void left by the departure of English striker Adam Le Fondre after two hugely successful seasons in the Harbour City.
The likes of Trent Buhagiar, Luke Ivanovic, Jordi Swibel and Patrick Wood all are vying to partner Kosta Barbarouses and lead the line.
“We have Kosta [Barbarouses], Trent Buhagiar, Luke Ivanovic and a couple of the younger boys Jordi Swibel and Patrick Wood. It’s up to these boys to show what they can do,” Corica said on the Sky Blues’ website.
“It’s all about depth in this squad, we want to improve on last year, we want to be better and these young boys are working hard to do that.
“Everyone is doing well from the experienced boys leading by example as always, but the young ones are pushing these boys now.
“Trent Buhagiar has been starting and scoring the goals, he scored two against Macarthur, so that’s great for him. They’re all working extremely hard and pushing those older boys.”
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Noone: Grand Final pain driving City
Melbourne City’s English winger Craig Noone admits the memory of last season’s Grand Final defeat to Sydney FC will make his side stronger in 2020/21.
City had their most successful season ever in the A-League in 2019/20, finishing in second spot and qualifying for the decider, only to lose 1-0 to the Sky Blues in extra-time.
Ahead of his second season in the competition, Noone believes there was plenty of positives to take from the last campaign and wants to add to his five goals and eight assists in the A-League last season.
“The players spoke in the dressing room after the Grand Final which was tough to take,” Noone said on City’s website.
“We came so far and it was still a successful season but ultimately to fall short at the final hurdle was hard to take and I think that will only make us stronger.”
“Personally [I want] to score more and assist more would be great. It would be good to try in chip in more that way.”
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