Western Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper Ante Covic says his side will target the Sky Blues’ leaky and under-strength defence in Saturday night’s inaugural Sydney derby.
Western Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper Ante Covic says his side will target the Sky Blues’ leaky and under-strength defence in Saturday night’s inaugural Sydney derby.
While the competition new boys are yet to score, Sydney FC have had trouble keeping them out, conceding five as they have opened the season with two straight defeats.
Already without Dutch defender Pascal Bosschaart through injury, the Sky Blues will also be missing the experienced Adam Griffiths (hamstring) for the sold-out derby at Parramatta Stadium.
And Covic believes the Wanderers can exploit Sydney’s shaky defence as they aim to get early bragging rights over their local rivals.
“We’ll get down to video sessions closer to the game and see where we can punish them,” Covic told reporters on Tuesday when asked about the Sky Blues’ weaknesses.
“They’ve leaked in a few goals over the last couple of games and I’m reading they’ve got a couple of injuries out back.
“We’re going to devise a plan as the best way to attack them.
“We’re not scared of them by any means and we’ve got to go out there looking for three points.”
If there’s one area of the Sky Blues game the Wanderers may fear it’s the influence of their star signing Alessandro Del Piero.
The veteran Italian lived up to his hefty reputation and $2 million price tag with a sublime free-kick in Sydney’s 3-2 defeat to Newcastle last weekend.
“It was a nice little free-kick he took and we’ve definitely got to be wary about that,” Covic said.
“We don’t want to give away silly fouls in and around the box and come the weekend probably more so.
“We’ll be wary of that and hopefully we don’t give those types of chances away.
“I’ve copped a lot of good free-kicks and he’s (Del Piero) one of the masters but I’ve just got to take it as another free kick and do my utmost.”
Covic, who played in the Melbourne derby for the Victory last season, said it was important the young players in the Wanderers squad don’t freeze under the pressure of the big occasion.
“Derbies are different, there’s a different passion and you go out there with a bit more fire in the belly,” the 37-year-old said.
“It can be daunting at times, especially with the younger boys we have to lead them in the right direction and make sure they’re not overawed by it.
“There’s obviously the hype with the marquee players and it’s just going to be an awesome experience, which everyone is looking forward too.
“And such a big game for us to stamp a bit of our authority on the derbies and get back up there in the league.”
