History ‘irrelevant’ as City’s Warren Joyce lauds in-form Adelaide

Adelaide have not beaten Melbourne City in six games but City coach Warren Joyce says that is irrelevan.

Melbourne City defender Ritchie De Laet leads the way at training in preparation for their elimination final against Adelaide United tomorrow. Picture: AAP

As statistics go, it is the sort of domination that should give Melbourne City coach Warren Joyce and his players plenty of heart going into tomorrow night’s A-League second elimination final against Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium.

Since Joyce took the reins, the Victorians have enjoyed plenty of success against their South Australian rival in the past two seasons, having gone unbeaten in six games (three wins, three draws).

While the Reds have managed two draws this season, it has been hard work as they have just a single goal to show for their efforts in 270 minutes of football against City this season.

As you would expect, Joyce isn’t about to get carried away heading into the knockout game.

“I don’t think it has any relevance whatsoever,” Joyce said yesterday before the team left for Adelaide. “Even if we had lost every game we have ever played against them it would bear no relevance coming into tomorrow.

“It’s a one-off game, a Cup tie and anything can happen. You just have to make sure you are at your best.”

The fact his opposite number, Marco Kurz, has done a great job with United and they finished above City on the table, and yet he could not find a way to beat them this season or last, surely gives the Englishman some confidence?

“I think we would be confident whoever we play if we perform to our maximum … we can beat anyone on our day,” he said. “Look, you can’t afford to be complacent or look at the stats that show you have beaten an opponent so many times. It is irrelevant.

“All I am concerned about is performing on the day.”

Joyce has plenty of admiration for the Reds, even to the point of dismissing suggestions they are devoid “of any real stars”. “You can’t tell me they don’t have any stars. Look at (Craig) Goodwin and Isaias,” He said. “Goodwin is as good in his position as any local or marquee player in the league and Isaias is still a top player.

“Then there is (Michael) Jakobsen, (Ben) Halloran and they have some of the best Australian talent in the competition.

“They are a good side and this is going to be very tough.

“They have plenty of experienced players who make the right decisions. The team doesn’t give up, they just keep going and they can run all day.”

After fielding a makeshift side in the 5-0 win over Central Coast in the final game of the regular season last week, City will be at full strength with a number of key players returning.

Striker Jamie Maclaren and defenders Ritchie De Laet and Harrison Delbridge, who both missed the Mariners game on yellow cards that could have cost them playing tomorrow, will start.

Defender Curtis Good and Frenchman Florin Berenguer will also come into contention, though midfielder Rostyn Griffiths is only a slim chance.

Adelaide will go into the match on a high, unbeaten in their last five games in the regular season.