Sydney FC coach Steve Corica praised Anthony Caceres’ performance in the Sky Blues’ 2-0 victory over APIA Leichhardt in the Australia Cup, but remained coy when asked if he will play as a lone attacking midfielder this season.
Caceres flourished playing as the sole no.10 on Wednesday night, scoring a brilliant solo goal to break the deadlock in their Round of 16 victory over the NPL New South Wales champions.
“I just picked it up with one thing in mind, I guess. I saw the space and I attacked it and yeah I looked for a tidy finish in the end, which paid off,” Caceres said post-game.
“Those are the situations I like to get in. Hopefully I can get in them more often now that I’ve been playing as a lone 10.
“It worked out well in the end and that kind of, I guess helped us settle a bit more and get a hold of the game.”
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With Max Burgess serving a suspension due to his red card in the Isuzu UTE A-League Semi Final second leg against Melbourne City last season, it’s opened the door for Caceres to play in his natural role in both their Cup ties – sitting in-front of Luke Brattan and youngster Corey Hollman.
Corica praised Caceres’ performances in Burgess’ absence, with the latter set to return for their quarter-final clash against Western United.
“We’ve got Maxy Burgess out at the moment and he’ll be back for the next game, but he’s really enjoying himself in that 10 role,” Corica said.
“That’s the position that he likes to play he’s filled in basically everywhere for me. He’s a champion and does a great job wherever he plays.
“He’s really enjoyed that number 10.”
Corica was asked whether that was a hint of what may come this season, with the Sky Blues jokingly responding: “No, not at all!”
The 30-year-old midfielder has played in a myriad of roles throughout his A-Leagues career, but most notably as one of two no. 10s in Corica’s preferred 4-2-2-2 formation.
Last season, he played as a box-to-box midfielder alongside a mix of Brattan, Burgess and Paulo Retre when Corica shifted the pieces around and went with a 4-3-3.
Despite being more comfortable with playing further up the pitch, Caceres said he doesn’t mind where he slots in, depending on where his coach needs him on the day.
“I found myself, I guess bouncing around a lot of positions, especially in the last year, which I’m fine with,” he said.
“I like to test myself as a player and see what I can do in different positions and I like the responsibility of being the reliable one to adapt when the coach needs me.
“But obviously no.10 is my preferred position and it’s a joy to play there when you’ve got people like ‘Bratts’ (Brattan) behind you and great movement around you with the front three that we have.
“Hopefully that opportunity to play there keeps coming, but if it doesn’t, I’ll just enjoy my football.”
