FFA Cup final: Melbourne City tried to intimidate Sydney FC: Zullo

Michael Zullo says Melbourne City set out to physically intimidate Sydney FC in the FFA Cup final.

Sydney’s Michael Zullo lies on the ground after a heavy tackle in Wednesday night’s FFA Cup final.

A battered and bruised Michael Zullo doesn’t believe he was specifically targeted in the FFA Cup final but he has no doubts Melbourne City set out to physically intimidate Sydney FC on Wednesday night.

Zullo went as far as to say some City players “got away with things they shouldn’t have” as he weighed up the possibility of having to miss Sunday’s A-League match against Newcastle.

The Sky Blues left-back was a sick and sorry sight, limping noticeably and looking spent as he spoke to The Australian after the 1-0 cup loss, the club’s first of the season and which extends their six-year trophy drought.

Straight from the kick-off, City sent the ball long towards Zullo who was then fouled by Tim Cahill. Minutes later he was brought down in a tackle by Luke Brattan that left him writhing on the turf and resulted in both sides becoming involved in a lot of push and shove as angry words and threats were exchanged.

Later in the match, Zullo was caught with another crunching tackle that left him in pain and caused the most physical damage.

“I don’t think they targeted me, I think they had a game plan to come out and be physical and set the tone in a final,” Zullo said. “In my opinion, I think they got away with things they shouldn’t have and should have been punished more (by the referee).

“There were some decisions I didn’t agree with, and that’s all I can say on that.”

He was particularly upset with the tackle in the second half.

“Hopefully I will be right for the weekend, but I have a few things (injury wise) to sort out, hence why my feelings are a bit skewed about some of the decisions that were made because the one that left me walking like this, (I) didn’t even get a free kick for it,” Zullo said. “It is what it is. We are not going to be sour about it.

“I think I stood up. I handled everything thrown my way and when I copped a knock I stood up and just kept going.”

Meanwhile, Sky Blues captain Alex Brosque said it was now up to him and coach Graham Arnold to lift the players ahead of the game against the Jets.

He said the mood in the dressing room after the game was ­“pretty awful”.

When asked if the loss could have a negative effect on his players, Brosque replied: “There is that danger. The boys weren’t happy, heads were down and it was a ­pretty awful mood inside the changing rooms and definitely very different to what we have been used to so far this season.

“Arnie and myself, we’ve got to pick the boys up. We’ll recover, and a good win against Newcastle on Sunday goes a long way to getting our season back on track.

“Look, the good thing is, it wasn’t the grand final of the ­A-League and there are still plenty of games to go and a lot of silverware to play for.

“We’ll pick up and keep going.”