Steve Corica says Sydney FC ready to fire against City despite busy week

It’s the schedule from hell, but Sydney FC coach Steve Corica is refusing to make a fuss.

Sydney FC coach Steve Corica could start with the same XI who played against Adelaide in the FFA Cup final on Tuesday night. Picture: AAP

It’s the schedule from hell, but Sydney FC coach Steve Corica is refusing to make a fuss, declaring there’ll be no excuses for his side in the top-of-the-table clash against Melbourne City at AAMI Park tonight.

Not only are the Sky Blues coming off narrowly failing to make it back-to-back FFA Cup ­titles following their 2-1 loss in the final to Adelaide United on Tuesday night, but they will be playing their third game in six days.

It’s a fixture list that would test the most accomplished clubs in Europe let alone a Sydney side that is also down on troops with long-term injuries to Siem de Jong and Trent Buhagiar.

Still Corica, who is facing a massive test in his first season as a senior coach after replacing ­Graham Arnold, remains buoyant his players can produce something special against a fresh City side that will have the advantage of playing at home after six days’ rest.

Sydney’s run started with the 2-0 win over Western Sydney in the derby last Saturday at the SCG, followed by the cup final trip to Adelaide and now the City match in Melbourne.

The fixtures for this weeks aleague

“Maybe they might, but it doesn’t matter,” Corica said when The Australian suggested to him that Melbourne City could be lulled into a false sense of security, expecting the visitors to tire at some stage because of what they have had to go through.

“There will be no excuses for us. I haven’t said anything to the boys about the schedule because they know what it is.

“The fact is we have a game to play and there is no escaping that. They don’t know any different and our focus is Melbourne City.”

Corica said the players have quickly put the cup final behind them and admitted the fact they are straight into the next game has helped.

“The cup is behind us and the players have got over it quickly,” he said.

“The staff have done a great job both in preparing the players ­mentally and physically and the guys have responded very well. They are happy and bubbly. It’s an advantage to have another game so quickly.”

Remarkably, Corica admitted he might not be making any changes to the line-up that has played the past two games.

Sydney do not have the youngest of squads with the likes of defender Alex Wilkinson (34), Milos Ninkovic (34) and captain Alex Brosque (35), and you would have thought that one or two of that trio might have earned a break.

“Surprisingly, they have all pulled up very well. They all trained this morning and everyone is fine so I have a decision or two to make,” Corica added.

“I’ve spoken to Alex and Milos and they are ready. Anyway, I will give all the players a few days off next week.”

The Sydney boss said the strength and conditioning staff had prepared the team well for this tough period. But rather than ­reduce the training load, they ­increased it.

“We worked them hard knowing this was coming up, then obviously eased it up the last week,” Corica said. “It is a tribute to our staff and the commitment of the players.”

If he is forced to make changes, Corica said he has confidence in the bench players such as striker Charlie Lokolingoy, midfielder Cameron Devlin and defender Aaron Calver to step up to the plate.

“They will be ready to either start or come off the bench and they will do a good job if and when needed,” he said.

Sydney, top of the table on goal difference, and third-placed City are unbeaten in the A-League this season and are on four points along with second-placed Perth Glory and fourth-placed Wellington Phoenix.