John van ‘t Schip says Melbourne City FC must defend as a team to blunt the threat of Sky Blue goal-machine Marc Janko, as one of City’s new stars was revealed to be doubtful for the Sydney clash on Friday night.
Janko looms as a major threat to City, Sydney’s international marquee striker having raced clear in the Golden Boot standings after netting a hat-trick in Sydney’s 5-4 win at home to the Roar last Sunday.
According to Van ‘t Schip, it will take more than centre-backs Patrick Kisnorbo and Kew Jaliens to stop the in-form Austria captain.
“It’s the whole team,” he said when asked who needs to perform to shutdown the goal-machine.
“You defend all together and you attack all together. You can’t say it’s just the two of them, they [Sydney] have so much other players and movements we have to deal with.
“It’s the same when we go forward. All together we have to make sure we come into attacking positions by good football, (so) that we can create chances and score.”
Preview: Sydney FC v Melbourne City FC
Meanwhile French forward Harry Novillo, who opened his account with a goal in the 4-0 home win over the Newcastle Jets on Saturday, is in doubt for the Sydney game due to illness.
“Harry’s been sick this week,” Van ‘t Schip said.
“That’s a big issue so hopefully he’s going to be ok for the travel. What he showed in … his first full game at home against Newcastle was very positive. We’ll just have to see how he’s going to pull up. Hopefully he can have an impact.”
“It looks like it’s only one week,” Van ‘t Schip said of the veteran centre-forward’s injury.
“Hopefully he will be available for selection for the next game.”
City are sixth on the Hyundai A-League table, two points ahead of the seventh-placed Roar but having played two matches more than the reigning champions.
They meet at AAMI Park on March 28, in a game that could go some way to deciding which team books the last remaining playoff berth.
Van ‘t Schip though was quick to dismiss suggestions his players may have trouble focusing on this Friday’s away match with the Sky Blues.
“That would be ridiculous,” he said.
“The game against Brisbane has nothing to do with the game against Sydney.
The game against Sydney is, at this moment, as important as the game against Brisbane … first you have to get a result against Sydney.
“We have to keep getting the results,” he said.
