“We are going there full of confidence.” That is the message from Scott Neville and Brisbane Roar ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Isuzu UTE A-League leaders Melbourne City.
Neville is aware of the task facing Brisbane – up against the reigning premiers, who boast the “biggest budget” and attract “great players”.
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But the Roar are not daunted heading into the AAMI Park fixture.
Brisbane – second from bottom and seven points outside the top six – will be looking to win back-to-back A-League Men games in Victoria for the first time ever after picking up 1-0 win over the Melbourne Victory in their last game in the state.
“All the boys are excited to get down to Melbourne and play on a great pitch. Hopefully we can come away with the three points,” Neville said.
“There is no hiding from the fact that they have the biggest budget in the league and attract some great players…but we kept (Maclaren) quiet in the last game.
“We are going to have to work overtime but it’s a job we are going to have to do (again).”
Brisbane also have the task of stopping a striker who has scored more goals on his own this season than the Roar have as a collective.
Brisbane Roar have scored 17 goals in 2022-23 and City talisman Jamie Maclaren has 18.
It is a statistic that partly explains why City are out in front atop the standings with 37 points and the Roar are more than two wins outside the top six on 20 points.
Neville said he was looking forward to the challenge of playing a role in shutting down Maclaren who he said was a brilliant player and a product of the chances created by a well oiled machine at City.
“His goal threat is up there. He is going to break the all-time (ALM goal scoring) record. It is inevitable that he will,” Neville said.
“He is a great striker. He is part of the Socceroos and he is the main number nine in the league so it is a good test for whoever plays at the back.
“It is always a big task.”
Both teams are coming off a loss. The Roar lost 3-2 away to Macarthur while City were upset 4-2 away by Adelaide United.
