Former La Liga star Susaeta hints at extending City stay

Markel Susaeta is open to extending his stay with Melbourne City but all that matters right now for the Spanish attacker is helping the club to Hyundai A-League success.

And what better way for the Spanish attacker to show his worth to Erick Mombaerts’ side by helping City beat rivals Melbourne Victory in the derby on Friday.

Susaeta, a veteran of more than 500 appearances for La Liga club Athletic Bilbao, signed for the Hyundai A-League club last month following a short stint in the J-League with Gamba Osaka.

He played the majority of his career with the club from Basque Country, making three Copa del Rey Finals and a UEFA Europa League Final before ending his time at the conclusion of the 2018/19 campaign.

“For the moment, it [my contract] is for this season, but if everything is good I hope to stay here for more time,” he said.

“Many people that I knew say that Melbourne is very good for life and family and kids.

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“I think that it’s very good for all my family. I didn’t know so much about the A-League but I have played three matches and I am thinking it is a very good league.”

Almost a year to the day from Friday’s derby at AAMI Park, Susaeta was playing against Lionel Messi’s Barcelona in La Liga.

The 32-year-old – equally adept at filling the No. 10 role, or playing on either flank – has showed flashes of quality in his three outings so far and he will be aiming to use every ounce of his big-match experience to help City over the line in what is a crucial derby.

Victory are undefeated in their last four matches against City. The four-time Champions have never been on a longer unbeaten run.

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“The derby is always special for everybody, it doesn’t matter where,” Susaeta said.

“Every player wants to win the derby, we know that the last two matches we didn’t win. If we want to be up in the rankings we have to win this derby.”

Susaeta added City would be ready to assert themselves on their fierce rivals after two matches without a win.

“We want to have the initiative all the time. We want the ball, passing. We want to do a very good pressure if we lose the ball. I like this.”

PREVIEW: Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory