Fan favourite Nico Martínez expects a “dangerous” Wanderers to kick-start their Hyundai A-League finals hopes against their fierce rivals, adding Western Sydney “cannot lose” this game.
The Wanderers not only head into the clash outside the top six but also a chasm-like 26 points behind runaway leaders Sydney FC.
And they have had to endure three years of derby pain, without a win in the last nine against the Sky Blues dating back more than three years.
Martinez feels the Wanderers can’t afford to lose another match all season if they want to play in the Finals Series.
But wins are what they really need and the perfect start would be inflicting Sydney FC’s first defeat of the season.
“To win won’t be easy, but we can do it. The atmosphere was amazing last time at ANZ Stadium, and this time we have to win against Sydney because it has been three years.
“We must be focused, work hard,” the Argentine playmaker told the Daily Telegraph.
“They are on top of the league, but we are also dangerous. It’s dependent on us I think.
“OK, Sydney FC are the best because the points they have say it. But I have no doubt we can win.
“We must trust in ourselves and put our life in this 95 minutes. [Last Sunday’s loss to the Mariners] cannot happen again, we cannot lose one more game until the end of the season.
“If you see the statistics, we cannot lose this game—or any more games.”
Martinez’s future at the Wanderers beyond this season is unclear, currently on loan at the Western Sydney from Greek giants Olympiacos.
While he admitted last week he is loving his stint in Australia and the Hyundai A-League, he is unsure what the future may hold.
“Next season it will be hard to return [to Olympiakos] because they don’t want me too much,” he said.
“I will have to wait to see what is my next team, and it is difficult not seeing my family for months but this is part of my career.
“Maybe it’s not so easy but I try to focus on what is in front of me. Now it is playing in the A-League, and wanting to win the grand final.
“The last three grand finals Western Sydney could not win, I came here for that good challenge and also the ACL.
“I don’t know what my future will be, but I try to make a good season here for me and the team, after that we will see.
“Until then I don’t think about it.”
This article was originally published at: http://www.a-league.com.au/article/wsw-star-we-cannot-lose-this-sydney-derby/1xeytdl0xe0n61uxactwbtfu8k
