Melbourne City counts cost of losing star trio Aaron Mooy, Erik Paartalu and Ivan Franjic

MELBOURNE City coach John van’t Schip admitted his team was ‘insecure’ and ‘rusty’ after being robbed of three of their biggest stars just before kick-off.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 02: Mahmut Ali Eyigun of Melbourne City controls the ball during the round 13 A-League match between Melbourne City FC and Sydney FC at AAMI Park on January 2, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)

MELBOURNE City coach John van’t Schip admitted his team was ‘insecure’ and ‘rusty’ after being robbed of star trio Aaron Mooy, Erik Paartalu and Ivan Franjic just before kick-off.

Debutant Ali Eyigun, 18, was the sacrificial lamb as the coach was forced into a 34th minute tactical change, with Michael Zullo coming on.

Under siege for much of the game, City twice went ahead through Aaron Hughes and A-League golden boot leader Bruno Fornaroli, but could only draw 2-2, leaving them ahead of Sydney FC in third on goal difference.

Franjic (corked thigh) was suffering from last week, but van’t Schip revealed that Paartalu (groin) and Mooy (ribs) suffered their injuries on Friday and were only ruled out hours before the game.

“The changes, we had so many, we didn’t even practice with this team because it came up this morning,’’ van’t Schip said.

“There was some insecurity and it didn’t stabilise, Sydney created chances we had to do something. It was rusty.

“It’s hard, five (changes) is a lot and if you know you can train on it, it’s different, but we had to make it in one moment.

“We got structure back (after the substitution), and then after that it looked a lot better but it was tough with five different payers.’’

Van’t Schip said David Williams, who appears may be stranded on 99 City games, was left out of the squad for tactical reasons amid speculation he is headed to Adelaide United for Osama Malik but refused to elaborate on the speculated swap deal.

“David was left out because I wanted other players in, competition is on and he had a few chances in the last few weeks,’’ he said.

City star Aaron Mooy was pulled from the clash against Sydney just before kick-off. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The coach was content with the result but not with the rollercoaster performance.

“Every game has a story and we should not make it bigger than what it is,’’ van’t Schip said.

“The boys did well in the second half and fought back into the game, the reaction was very good. But it’s a fair result.

“We could’ve gone up to 3-1 and it would’ve been totally different, Robbie Koren and Michael Zullo both had chances.’’

Originally published as Melbourne City counts cost of losing star trio Aaron Mooy, Erik Paartalu and Ivan Franjic