Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Well versed in two of German football’s fiercest regional derbies, Melbourne Victory defender Philipp Ziereis is ready for whatever Melbourne City throw his way.
Ziereis spent nine years with St Pauli, where he played alongside Socceroos midfielder Jackson Irvine, and relished ‘Hamburger Stadtderby’ clashes with Hamburger SV.
The 33-year-old right-back also featured for Gruether Furth in the ‘Frankenderby’ against Bavarian rivals FC Nurnbgerg last season.
Ziereis got a taste of Melbourne’s soccer battleground in Victory’s Australia Cup final defeat to South Melbourne, and will encounter City for the first time in their A-League Men derby at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
Both Victory and City are desperate to open their ALM accounts following round-one defeats on the road in New Zealand.
“It’s always good to have a derby in your city. These are the big games that you want to play in,” Ziereis said.
“You enjoy the atmosphere in the stadium, so we’re looking forward to it.
“You can feel it in the city the week before and the fans make it a special atmosphere.
“I really enjoy it and it’s an honour to be part of the derby, and to play it and have the experience. It’s the same here.”
Victory have had a mixed start to the season under new boss Giovanni Savarese, rebounding from the Australia Cup final defeat with an Asian Champions League 2 victory over FC Seoul before falling to Wellington Phoenix in their ALM opener.
Those three games in the space of eight days took a physical toll on the squad, which has enjoyed a few days to freshen up in preparation for the City clash.
“Now is the time to show what we learnt out of these games,” Ziereis said.
“It’s a derby. These are special games, not like regular season games.
“It’s about emotions and giving 100 per cent on the pitch and being better in the contest than your opponent. I think we are ready.”
Savarese has relished some relief in a busy schedule, allowing him time to prepare his squad adequately for City.
“We learnt a lot from last week because we haven’t had three matches consecutively like that … so it’s definitely been a good week for us to plan and get focused on this game,” Savarese said.
“Although we have other matches to play next week, this is the biggest game and most important.
“We’re coming to get the three points and the players understand exactly what we’ve got to do.”
Victory striker Harrison Sawyer returns to the squad after overcoming a groin injury, while midfielder Louis D’Arrigo (hamstring) is still unavailable.
City boss Aurelio Vidmar has called up international recruits Emiliano Marcondes and Julio Cascante, hopeful both can play “significant” roles in the derby.
Max Caputo (hamstring) is “touch and go”, while Socceroos forward Mathew Leckie is still “a little bit rusty” and will gradually build his minutes after he was used as a substitute against Auckland FC.”We’re still very early in the season but obviously it is a big game and one that we certainly want to win,” Vidmar said.
“There’s always something special about the derbies and there’s always something happening, whether it’s on the pitch or off the pitch.
“If you want to call it a stepping stone or whatever you want to call it, for us it’s about going out there and showing the best version of ourselves and trying to get a win.”
