Melbourne City will not be fazed by the great expectations on them this season according to coach John van’t Schip as his side prepare for their opening round clash against Sydney FC.
Speaking at the Hyundai A-League launch at Etihad Stadium’s Medallion Club, the City boss also told attendees that his side will be starting fresh and will be looking to provide a stern challenge for the rest of the competition.
Finishing at the bottom of the table last season, the City faithful will be hoping this season represents a rebirth for the club and it’s no secret that Melbourne City are a new side, fresh with a number of high-profile signings.
The takeover of Melbourne Heart by the City Football Group and the financial backing that comes with it means Melbourne City will enter the 2014/15 campaign with high expectations on them and all eyes watching as the boys in sky blue look to improve on their poor finishes in recent seasons.
“We had a good second half of the season so we’ve seen that within our playing group there was enough talent and now we’re adding other players in and hopefully [we] can make the next step,” said City boss John van ’t Schip.
“We all know that the outside is looking with all eyes because of what happened and that’s something that we have to get used to, but still, it’s about hard work and [it’s] still 11 against 11.”
After weeks of speculation on when David Villa would actually arrive in Melbourne, Spain’s all-time leading goalscorer finally touched down and trained with his new teammates on Monday at La Trobe University – much to the delight of the City coaching staff and playing group.
The arrival of footballing superstar Villa has given Melbourne City and the A-League has brought with it unprecedented exposure and although van ’t Schip believes this should be embraced, he admitted City’s focus will remain on working hard and improving their playing style.
“Who wouldn’t smile when you can work with David Villa?” van’t Schip joked.
“It’s great for the league, it’s great for the club even if it’s only for a small period but I think it shows how important the league is getting, how big – you’ve seen of course Alessandro Del Piero, a very big name, playing here two years, and now getting another big name in, I think we should be embracing this.
“[We’ll] just do our best and have a philosophy that we don’t change, we just try to play the same way and only we want to play better,” the City head coach added.
Decked out in their new white Melbourne City kit, the man that everyone had been waiting for finally walked into the Medallion Club with all eyes stopping to catch a glimpse of David Villa.
The former FC Barcelona and Athletico Madrid striker – whose last competitive game was at the 2014 World Cup – speaking through an interpreter said he was hoping to make his short stay in Melbourne a fruitful one.
“The impact I want to make is to win the most games possible and make the Melbourne City supporters happy and I want to make a good experience for everyone.” Villa said.
“It’s a new league – it’s a very interesting challenge and I hope to reach the expectations of the Melbourne City supporters and perform well.”
Villa is expected to take to the field for Melbourne City’s opening match against Sydney FC on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium and new City captain Patrick Kisnorbo says the blockbuster clash will be the first step in the club’s quest to create history.
“We just want to create our own history and that’s the bottom line,” said Kisnorbo.
“People are looking in and seeing bright lights but on the day whatever happens out there is the most important thing.
“We want success like everyone else but that only comes through hard work and determination and hopefully we can do that this year.”
Fans will have to wait until the 25th of October to see City take on their cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium in the first Melbourne derby of the 2014/15 Hyundai A-League Season.
When asked to sum-up what the clash will be like, Kisnorbo only had one response:
“Fireworks.”
Melbourne City square up against Sydney FC on Saturday, hopeful of gaining their first points of the season. Kick-off at Allianz Stadium is scheduled for 7:30pm.