Friday night’s clash with Western Sydney will look to be a battle of the midfield in the intriguing clash at Spotless Stadium. We look at the contest between the creative minds of each side in our Key Battle.
‘Midfield maestro’ is a general term loosely given to the man who plays through balls to the forwards but for Caceres and Martinez, it means a whole lot more.
Both sides play a highly possessional game and the duo play an important role for their respective sides in not only creating play but also the team’s defensive work from the front as well as the tempo the match is played at.
Each have played 22 matches in 2016/17 with second half of the season seeing Caceres and Martinez excel compared to their respective openings. Caceres worked his way into the side after taking opportunities presented to him while Martinez’s load was increased week by week by Wanderers Head Coach Tony Popovic to bring him up to speed of the Australian football.
The Wanderers marquee man is just in front of Caceres in terms of goals, assists and chances created but the City midfielder’s defensive work and passing accuracy has made him one of the unsung heroes in his side.
With plenty on the line on Friday night and both players a focal point to the creativity of each side, the battle between Caceres and Martinez in the engine room may decide who comes away from the contest with the three points.
