Erick Mombaerts believes Melbourne City are ready to show they can deliver on the big stage in Friday night’s derby against Melbourne Victory.
City have failed to convince in any of their crunch matches against their Hyundai A-League rivals this season, picking up just two points in five matches against runaway leaders Sydney, reigning Premiers Perth, and rivals Victory.
In addition, the club from Bundoora lost the FFA Cup Final 4-0 to Adelaide United.
But Mombaerts is hopeful Friday’s blockbuster at AAMI Park will be a different story.
“We have prepared well for this game,” he said. “We know Victory’s style better, we need to be careful of some new things and not to give our opponents the weapons to beat us.
“We have to be more aware of tactical things – that’s what we worked on this week, but we need to be ready mentally. We worked on this and I hope tomorrow we don’t fail.”
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City trail Sydney by 13 points ahead of the clash and their mission to get one over the line against their rivals has been complicated by a crippling defensive crisis.
Celtic loan signing Jack Hendry (knee) has been ruled out with a long-term injury, Harrison Delbridge will miss the match after picking up his third red card of the campaign in last Saturday night’s 3-1 loss to Adelaide United, while goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis, who played the last five games, will also miss out due to personal reasons.
Mombaerts also confirmed Connor Metcalfe received a knock in training and was unsure whether he will be fit but the Frenchman did welcome back skipper Scott Jamieson and Uruguayan attacker Adrian Luna.
“After the last game, the big problem was we had one player got a red card, Harrison [Delbridge], but the biggest problem was the injury to Jack Hendry,” Mombaerts said.
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“In this situation we have to find solutions and we will play with one defensive midfielder in the back. It will be Josh [Brillante] or Rostyn [Griffiths].”
In the absence of important defensive personnel, Mombaerts requires his key attacking players – especially ex-La Liga star Markel Susaeta – to put in a big performance as City attempt to break a four-match win-less run against their rivals.
“I think he [Susaeta] is getting better and better,” Mombaerts said.
“His athletic data shows that he is now better physically, now he has to adapt to our style because it is different, but he is a very smart player and I am sure you will see the player he is.
“He has experience… he is not a leader yet because he has only been a few weeks with us, but maybe he will be.
PREVIEW: Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory
Round 18
Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory
Friday, 7 February
AAMI Park
Kick off: 7.30pm AEDT