Melbourne City boss Rado Vidosic does not believe Sydney FC will shut up shop in Saturday’s Westfield W-League Grand Final and says his side must execute a perfect game plan in order to be crowned Champions.
City have blown the rest of the competition out of the water in a dominant 2019/20 campaign which saw the Bundoora club storm to the Premiers Plate and finish 12 points above the Sky Blues on the ladder.
They also ran out 2-1 winners over their Grand Final opponents back in December, before going seven matches without conceding a goal.
City will look to put the finishing touch on a memorable unbeaten season but despite being hot favourites to secure a record fourth Championship, head coach Vidosic is preparing for the club’s toughest match yet.
Reigning Champions Sydney are also vying to become the first Westfield W-League club to win four Championships and despite finishing the regular campaign with back to back defeats against Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory, Vidosic is wary of the winning mentality and resilience synonymous with the Sky Blue badge.
“It is up to us to make sure that we execute our plan perfectly,” he said on Friday.
“They have a number of good players in their squad. They are champions.
“Knowing Ante, I don’t think they are coming here to defend. I think they are going to come here willing to win the game and keep the championship trophy for one more year.
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“We have identified some of their weaknesses and their strengths, and it is about who wins more of their battles during the game.”
Vidosic added that City would have a full roster to deploy on game day with the team’s star-studded line up emerging unscathed through a congested period of international and domestic commitments.
Meanwhile, captain Steph Catley says winning a third Championship trophy with City would crown a ‘special’ season.
Catley was an integral part of the side which won inaugural success in 2016 and backed it up again in 2017.
Should she lift the trophy on Saturday afternoon, Catley will join an elite group of players to win four Grand Finals.
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“It would be incredible. I loved every second of playing for this club and have been so lucky to be playing in so many good teams and groundbreaking moments.
“Every team is so different and this one in particular I’ve enjoyed so much.
“There’s something really special about this team. I was saying it a couple of the girls the other day, I’ve never been in a team full of so many incredible talented players that have the motivation to win that we do.
“Each win has been amazing in its own right but I’m really excited about this week and to try and get the job done with this team.”
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GRAND FINAL FEATURED PLAYER: Emily van Egmond – Melbourne City
GRAND FINAL FEATURED PLAYER: Veronica Latsko – Sydney FC
Westfield W-League 2020 Grand Final
Date: Saturday 21 March 2020
Fixture: Melbourne City FC vs Sydney FC
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off Time: 3:30pm (AEDT)
TV Broadcast: FOX SPORTS 505 from 3:00pm (AEDT), ABC TV from 3:00pm (AEDT), Kayo and the My Football Live App.
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