Melbourne City head coach Michael Matricciani says his side are raring to go ahead of Round 1 of the Ninja A-League season after what he described as an invaluable pre-season schedule.
The reigning Premiers will be aiming to kick off their campaign with a win when they host Perth Glory on Sunday afternoon, a game which will be Matricciani’s first league match in charge of the club.
BUY YOUR TICKETS TO ROUND ONE OF THE NINJA A-LEAGUE SEASON
“I think we’ve had a great pre-season,” said Matricciani when speaking at his first official Ninja A-League pre-match press conference.
“We’re looking forward to the start of the season. We’ve got big goals internally, what we want to achieve, and I think moving into round one is always that buzz and excitement.
“For me me personally, (it’s) my first match in the A-League so looking forward to that on a personal note as well and definitely being at home, we want to make sure we entertain and and win some football matches.”
ROUND ONE: Game-by-game preview: What you need to know for Round 1 of the Ninja A-League
Apparently key to City’s preparations heading in to the new season has been their recent run in the AFC Women’s Champions League.
Playing three games in the space of seven days in Thailand, City returned with three wins under their belt having defeated Iranian side Bam Khatoon, Thailand’s BGC-College of Asian Scholars and Filipino side Kaya FC to qualify for March’s quarter-finals.
“It was an excellent pre-season to be able to go away for 12 days and spend time together playing competitive matches,” he said.
“It was an exciting time, obviously being in the Asian Champions League, but more so being away as a group.
“For me, as a new coach, getting to know the players, integrating the six new ones that we had at that stage. So yeah, it was a really invaluable sort of pre-season camp. You could say that was excellent preparations for leading into this week.”
After clinching the Premier’s Plate on the final day of the 2023-24 regular season, City then fell agonisingly short of doing the double after losing 1-0 to Sydney FC in the Grand Final.
As a result, several first team players departed the club with the likes of record goalscorer Hannah Wilkinson among those to leave.
BACK TO IT: Why Australia’s oldest pro footballer is still playing at 44… and has no plans to stop
However, City have recruited well in the off-season, signing the likes of former Wellington Phoenix striker Mariana Spackmaier and Adelaide United youngster Emilia Murray, whilst former defender Tyla-Jay Vlajnic also returned.
Furthermore, Sunday’s contest at ctrl:cyber pitch will also pit two rookie Ninja A-League head coaches against each other when Matricciani takes on new Perth Glory boss Stephen Peters, who took over in Perth following the departure of former head coach, Alex Epakis.
BUY YOUR TICKETS TO ROUND ONE OF THE NINJA A-LEAGUE SEASON
