Despite a sluggish run of results since the Westfield FFA Cup Final, City midfielder Luke Brattan believes Saturday’s Melbourne Derby has the makings for his side to rekindle their spark this season.
City will prepare for the 23rd edition of the Melbourne Derby with the chance to keep pace with Victory in the third and final clash between the sides for the 2016/17 regular season.
Brattan – who has been in the heart of City’s engine room this season – feels his side is raring to go for the contest, believing that the surrounds of Etihad Stadium may spark his side in to replicating their Round 2 performance.
“Obviously we feel we can do it again. We’ve just got to knuckle down and it will come,” Brattan said.
“It was a fantastic performance from our team and to do it in a Derby was great. We’re looking to get back to that level, but at the same time we’ve got to change some things as well.”
“Teams have looked at that game, Victory came out and tried to press us and we played through that. Now teams park the bus every week so it’s completely different.
“It’s definitely harder than it was at the start of the season, but I can’t see why we can’t get back to that level this weekend.”
The contest is a genuine six pointer between the sides, as a win for City on Saturday will bridge the gap to Victory to three points with nine regular season matches remaining.
There is no doubt the top two is still on Brattan’s mind with the theme of Tuesday’s media event in Chinatown with the Australian Chinese Jockey Club striking a cord with the midfielder.
“Of course the top two is still possible, that’s what we’re going for. If we can’t win it we’re going for second place,” he said.
“We’re still going to try and win it, results have to fall in our way but I think we’re going to go play game by game and try go for three points each game.
“You look at the club that we’re tryin to be, we’re trying to be the biggest in Asia so we need to be in the Asian Champions League to do that.”
City take on Victory in the Melbourne Derby on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium, kick-off 7.50pm. See our 4 remaining home matches with our Three Match Membership. Hit the banner below to sign up today!
