Melbourne City coach Patrick Kisnorbo won’t accept complacency in his side’s title defence

Title-winning coach Patrick Kisnorbo says Melbourne City will have to lift its game to a new standard to retain the A-League championship.

Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren is set for A-League duty with Melbourne City on Friday night. Picture: Brendon Thorne / AFP

Melbourne City coach Patrick Kisnorbo will demand better from himself and his players to ensure the A-League glamour club’s title defence is a success.

Having finally established itself as Australia’s best club team last season, City begins its bid for a back-to-back premiership-championship double when it hosts Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park on Friday night.

Socceroos pair Jamie Maclaren and Mathew Leckie arrived back in Melbourne from international duty on Thursday, with Kisnorbo yet to decide if both attackers will start.

“We’ll see how they pull up before training and after training and we’ll make a decision (on Friday),” the City boss said.

With Leckie’s signing adding to the club’s already powerful attacking arsenal, many experts are predicting City will comfortably add to their trophy cabinet with further title glory this season.

However, Kisnorbo is expecting a rollercoaster campaign that will require City to improve in all areas in order to remain at the A-League summit.

Jamie Maclaren is set for A-League duty after returning from Socceroos commitments in Sharjah. Picture: Matt King / Getty Images

“The expectations of my players is to train hard every day,” the former Socceroos defender said.

“I can’t control anything else with what people say. We don’t pay attention to that, we just concentrate day by day.

“It’s going to be a year that’s going to be a bit up and down. You can see already we’re getting our (Socceroos) players two days before the start, so we’ve had to deal with that instead of having them already here.

“It’s just one of those things that we’re going to have to deal with and adapt to.”

Kisnorbo said he was bound to “make mistakes” this season as City copes with the pressure of defending its title and playing in the AFC Champions League.

“I’m not perfect and I’ll never claim to be,” he said.

“I will make those mistakes, but through those mistakes, I’ll try to learn as best as I can, and try to be a better coach, manager and person every day that I can.

“As a player you always wanted to reach the highest levels, and that’s the same as a coach.”

The Roar will be without inspirational skipper Tom Aldred and off-season recruit Juan Lescano, who have respective knee and hamstring injuries.

“They’re a tough team, they’re a good team, they’ve got some good players, but for me the focus is on us and how we approach the game,” Kisnorbo said.

“It’s going to be a great occasion and we’re lucky enough to play at our home stadium, and it’s just great that football is starting back up again in this country.”

Originally published as Melbourne City coach Patrick Kisnorbo won’t accept complacency in his side’s title defence