Melbourne City’s Robbie Wielaert would be forgiven for having a few minor concerns about the team’s start to the A-League season: two frustrating draws salvaged by two David Villa equalisers preceding the news that the star Spaniard will return to parent club New York City four matches into his 10 game guest stint; marquee Robert Koren’s six week calf injury; a huge game against cross-town rivals Victory beckoning with other squad members hit by injuries.
However, the steely defender is keeping his calm, taking everything in his stride and remaining focused on the task ahead of the club.
“In general, every game is a different game. Of course a lot of things have changed inside the club but it’s still a derby. It’s going to be intense, I heard it’s going to be a full stadium so that’s good for the game,” Wielaert said.
“The first two games. I thought we played okay, we had the chances to win but we didn’t do it and this week it’s another chance to show the people what we can do.
“We’ve created a lot of chances, maybe not real clear-cut chances but we’re mostly in the half of the opponent, and that’s a good thing.
“Still we have to work on our [work inside] the final third and we also have to still work on defending better. We always play the same way and try to dominate ball possession.”
The veteran Dutchman was also pleased with the team coach John van ‘t Schip built over the offseason, despite injuries hitting the squad so early in the season.
While wary of Victory’s attacking threat, including their own addition of marquee striker Besart Berisha, Wielaert emphasised that City’s focus would remain solely on their performance as a team.
“I think [the squad’s] better than last year and it’s way better than two seasons ago. I think it will be better every year. If you look at our squad, we’ve gotten better but I think every squad got better. Victory got better. So I think the league’s improving,” he said.
“They have a really good squad, especially in the front. They have a lot of movement, a lot of creativity. Of course we look at our opponent and we look at footage from the opponent every game, that’s not going to change – it’s the same as last year but we still try and play our own game.
“Berisha is a quality striker, he works very hard, tries to keep pressure on the opponent. Like I said, it’s a team sport. Not only Berisha can win games, not only David Villa can win games – it’s a team game and that’s why I like it.
Despite David Villa’s immediate impact on the team, scoring City’s only two goals this season, Wielaert downplayed his impending departure after the team’s round four clash, claiming there was more to Melbourne City than David Villa.
“We know he’s not going to be with us all season but we just enjoy him being around as long as possible, it’s not an issue in the playing group, not at all,” he said.
“He’s just a normal guy, he fits in with the team. He wants to work hard but of course you see his touches on the ball. He’s very direct and he brings some spectators to the stadium.
“I hope they stick around if he leaves but he’s just a really good player and a really good guy.”
An exciting double header on Saturday at Etihad Stadium will see the Melbourne Derby follow Melbourne Victory’s W-League clash against Canberra United.