Melbourne City FC secured a memorable 2-1 win over cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory in the 18th edition of the Melbourne Derby on Saturday. Here are the key Quotes and Notes to come out of Saturday night’s entertaining clash at AAMI Park.
Melbourne City FC Head Coach John van’t Schip
Thoughts on the win and the second-half performance…
“Victory made it very difficult to continue the good patches we showed in the first half. We were dangerous and having some very big opportunities to score. The character we showed was very important. Building on that this game gives me a lot of joy looking forward because that’s something in the past often went the other way.”
“Today because everybody was backing each other up, we got this great result. Knowing that Victory is still a great team and they are the champions, we went back in the second half and it was credit to them, but going forward we created a lot of good opportunities. In the first-half I think we could have gone up a bit more earlier.
“Of course getting the goal against just before half-time is always a difficult moment. But credit to the boys, their fighting spirit was unbelievable tonight and the fans cheered them through the game – which is also important – so we are very satisfied with the result.”
On the Club’s fourth win in a row…
“In other games we played a lot more the football that we want to play and as I said there is still a lot of work to be done. This evening there was less but if you see the character we put on and you combine those two, I think you’re in the right direction. Again, credit to all the boys, they did a great job out there tonight.”
On the value of a Derby win…
“I think we’ve seen and got a lot of confidence out of the last games that we played because we’re scoring goals, creating chances and playing some really good football, working also on our defensive side that we said we have to take into consideration, to give away less and I think we were doing that as well.”
“As a result this evening, you see on top of that the character in the team. The backing up, the fighting is another thing that is getting to another level and hopefully we can build from there and make another step.”
On maintaining the winning momentum…
“It’s not done, it’s certainly a long league to play and we get a big game next week against Brisbane. It’s another test to see where we are and we want to keep the run going. I think the energy and the confidence in the group is big, but for every game you have to make sure you are prepared and have to fight and with the quality we have, we can hurt opponents.”
On the performance of Stefan Mauk and Paulo Retre…
“I think Stefan Mauk already in the recent weeks has shown good progression. In the last Derby he started actually playing and getting more time and playing against Adelaide from the left. Now he is playing this role from the right and creating and scoring, and that’s only good.”
“Pauly played a very controlled game, especially in the first half he was on the ball, giving good balls and on the right the moment he was there to follow up with the attack we had; good ball to Mauk and the chance from Bruno and he was in the right spot to finish off.
“It’s only good. Two young players that are with us for a long time and Benny Garuccio, another young player in a line-up today. It’s a great result and we’re very happy for them as well.”
On the performance of Thomas Sorensen…
“Thomas was outstanding this evening in his saves. He had a few great saves nearby – he had reactions on very important saves that he made. It shows that he’s getting fitter and fitter and more involved in the team.”
“Of course he has a lot of experience as well. He knows where to be on the right time and on the right spot. I’m happy for him that he played a good game, and helped us to as well.”
Notes
- The pulsating 2-1 win was Melbourne City FC’s fourth consecutive Hyundai A-League win, only one shy of the Club record of five, which was achieved in the 2011-12 season.
- The Club has now won the past three Melbourne Derbies at AAMI Park (registering 4-0, 1-0 and 2-1 wins), with Melbourne Victory winning the past four encounters at Etihad Stadium.
- Paulo Retre’s 30th minute goal was the City midfielder’s first ever Hyundai A-League goal.
- City midfielder Stefan Mauk netted the Club’s 200th Hyundai A-League win with a superb diving header. It was also Mauk’s second goal against Victory this season, after he found the back of the net in the Round 2 clash at Etihad Stadium.
- Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen demonstrated his immense quality between the posts for City on Saturday night, with the Great Dane making a total of 11 saves for the match; the most of any goalkeeper in one match this Hyundai A-League season.
