Melbourne Victory stays the A-League’s “biggest club” regardless of Sydney FC chief government officer Adam Santo suggesting that mantle now belonged to the Sky Blues.
That’s the idea of Victory coach Tony Popovic forward of Saturday evening’s “Big Blue” at Allianz Stadium.
Santo reportedly pointed to Sydney FC’s superior attendances this season, in addition to to the Sky Blues’ “reach on TV” being higher than the Victory’s.
However, Popovic – a former Sky Blues defender – wasn’t shopping for into Santo’s claims.
“It’s nice that he is honest and acknowledges that Victory were the biggest club; I’m sure that still remains,” Popovic mentioned.
“If our members can come along and be together (on Saturday night), I’m sure that with our fans and our members, the atmosphere will be special.
“Without us there, it won’t be the same.
“Off the field, everyone has their voice and their CEO certainly has his, but for me as a football coach, we just worry about what happens on the pitch.
“We want to show with our actions on the pitch how good we can be, and let the talking be done off the field by them.”
Despite fan restrictions having been slapped on the Victory following December’s Melbourne derby pitch invasion, the membership’s supporters will be capable of sit collectively in a specified part of seating at Allianz Stadium on Saturday evening.
“It will help Sydney’s crowd,” Popovic mentioned.
“It’s what our members and fans deserve. They are the best fans in the league by far. “(They’ve) been through a lot together and their support will certainly be appreciated by every person at Melbourne Victory and certainly by the players and staff who are travelling to (Sydney).
“We look forward to seeing them there and we’ll do everything we can to celebrate with them after the game.”
The Victory sits final on the A-League ladder, six factors adrift of the Steve Corica-coached Sky Blues, who entered the spherical in sixth spot.
“They (Sydney) are a good team, they play good football, (and) that’s no surprise, but we feel that we’re ready and able to beat them,” Popovic mentioned.
That’s regardless of the absence of star midfielder and reigning Johnny Warren medallist Jake Brimmer, who is about to overlook the remainder of the season after having surgical procedure this week on a torn meniscus.
“We’re looking at up to or around (an absence of) 12 weeks,” Popovic mentioned.
Sydney FC’s English winger, Joe Lolley, urged his crew to “play with heart”.
“It’s a pretty good game from a football perspective,” Lolley mentioned.
“Both teams want to start from the back and play football and try and win the ball back as well. It’ll be a great game, and hopefully one the fans are going to enjoy.”
Originally revealed as Melbourne Victory coach Tony Popovic hits again at Sydney FC forward of ‘Big Blue’
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
