Western Sydney Wanderers will be looking to build on their solid start to the season against Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park tomorrow night.
Buoyed by the character-building 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners in their successful return to Wanderland last Saturday, the Red & Black will go into the game against the Victorians full of confidence and in the knowledge, they are only going to get better as the season progresses.
While injuries have caused a couple of headaches, head coach Markus Babbel nonetheless has the squad in very good spirits as they prepare to face one of the championship favourites.
Babbel acknowledged that it wasn’t the team’s best performance against the Mariners last week, but was full of praise for the character they showed in coming from behind to win.
KWAME YEBOAH
Bruce Kamau, Patrick Ziegler and Tarek Elrich have been ruled out of the game, though Babbel said Kwame Yeboah is a chance to be included in the matchday squad. The exciting attacker will add some much-needed depth to the Wanderers.
With Elrich sidelined indefinitely, Wanderers Academy graduate Daniel Wilmering could be in line to get his first starting competitive debut for the club after what was a great performance coming on as a substitute against the Mariners.
Another solid effort from him could see the former Wanderers ball boy in line to play in the Sydney Derby on Saturday week.
BABBEL: WE HAVE TO FIND WAYS TO HURT THEM
But, first things first, the Red & Black have to contend with some typically tough opposition.
Victory were held to a 0-0 draw by Melbourne Victory in the Melbourne Derby last week and Babbel knows all too well that they have the quality in their side.
“They will be strong again,” said Babbel.
“This is a club that wants to fight for the title. We know they have quality there.
“This is a really good side. We have to find solutions to work against them, they have quality up front and the back. We have to find ways to hurt them.”
