Melbourne City and Socceroos star, Marco Tilio, has opened up on finding the enjoyment of the game again following a tough run of injuries.
The 23-year-old is building from strength to strength with each performance and will be looking to do the same when City host Newcastle Jets on Wednesday night.
Read Marco Tilio’s pre-match thoughts below…
MIDWEEK FOOTBALL
“I think as you said, games so tight together at the moment, and obviously we have had a good run of form. So, for us, I think it’s a good thing that we’re playing another game on Wednesday and sort of gain a little bit of momentum going into the international break.
“I think the biggest thing is, I think personnel, I think we’ve got the players that I think the club and Viddy [Aurelio Vidmar] obviously thought would be there from round one.
“There’s so many of us that have had our spells on the sideline and we’re slowly, slowly all coming together now and I think it’s starting to fruition now. We’ve had a good run of games together, and I think we’re going to get stronger with that.”
ENJOYING FOOTBALL AGAIN
“I haven’t played consistently it feels for a while… to get these run of games has been really good. I’ve always just wanted to play football, so sitting on the sidelines watching so many games is not easy as a player, and for me, just to be playing and obviously enjoying it again, it’s been really good.
“I’ve had a lot of injuries and, I guess it just, I don’t know, I couldn’t tell you why or anything like that, but it’s been hard.
“I’ve been out for a while, and I just want to play football, as I said. So being able to stay fit and healthy at the moment and do everything I can, as I always have, to stay out there and play I think that’s the most important thing for me and, for the team. So, you know, just really delighted to be playing and hopefully I can stay out there for the rest of the season.”
SKY’S THE LIMIT
“At times I guess it can be a pretty lonely place rehab when when you’re in the gym by yourself and the team’s training and you’re not, and on game days, you get that sort of buzz in you. You don’t get that because you’re either training or you’re in the grandstand watching.
“I think the build up over time can get a lot, but yeah, for me it was just all always with the right mentality just to get back as best I can and make sure I stay in the best shape possible. That’s the way I’ve approached all my rehabs, I had a really strong pre-season, which I think has led me to feeling and being the way I am right now.
“I haven’t played many games, so I feel I’m slowly, slowly getting my feet, finding my feet again and getting that match fitness. That’s the most important thing… Match fitness you’re going to build from playing games, so I’d say I’m about that 70-80% mark now and I still feel I have a bit to give, and a bit more to learn.
“In terms of the actual game, and I think hopefully over the next month or so that I’ll be there or thereabouts 100%, feeling fit and confident going into the back end of the season.”
