Van’t Schip dares his City to go all-out in attack

Melbourne City coach John van’t Schip has challenged his players to be more daring against defensive A-League tactics.

Melbourne City coach John van’t Schip has challenged his players to be more daring in the face of ultra-defensive A-League tactics.

City couldn’t muster a shot on target in last week’s 1-0 loss to Brisbane Roar, with van’t Schip later accusing counterpart John Aloisi of “parking the bus’’.

City host Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park tonight and will likely face similar defensive tactics from the seventh-placed Jets but van’t Schip said it was up to his side to make the most of their plentiful attacking options.

“Newcastle will do the same and maybe they will defend because of the way that we want to play,” van’t Schip said.

“Maybe they will want to press us but we’ll see. If not, then we have to make sure that we move the ball quickly and try to mix it up and have more threats. Sometimes you have to be a bit more opportunistic as well.

“We were disappointed that we couldn’t create enough chances (against Roar) but we’ll work on that and how to penetrate, how to be a bit more optimistic in games because you can’t walk the ball into the goal ... you have to have a shot, you have to have sometimes a (long) ball into the box.

“We have to improve playing in the final third ... I think that’s something that we all know.”

City are third on the A-League ladder after five rounds but van’t Schip said it was important to get a win at their AAMI Park home, where they’ve already lost once, to Perth Glory, this season.

The coach will need to make at least one change, with midfielder Luke Brattan on international duties with the Socceroos.

Defender Ivan Franjic came on in the dying minutes against Roar but declared himself ready to start after regaining peak fitness following a heart scare in the off-season.

Striker Tim Cahill is sure to feature after escaping unscathed in his return from an achilles injury against Brisbane.

“He actually pulled up very well, so that’s another positive sign,” van’t Schip said.

Meanwhile, Western Sydney striker Brendon Santalab has pledged not to sacrifice his aggressive playing style after offering an explanation for yet another contentious tackle last weekend.

Sunday’s 2-2 away draw with Perth was further demonstration of Santalab’s intelligent yet no-holds-barred game that has yielded four goals in five games.

Just before the hour mark, the 34-year-old veteran ghosted into the box to pick up a pinpoint ball from Argentine playmaker Nicolas Martinez and slot home the equaliser.

But then in stoppage-time he was criticised for a reckless sliding tackle on Joseph Mills that earned a yellow card but was perceived by many as worthy of a straight red.

Santalab defended the challenge as a “desperate run back for the team” to win the ball.

“There’s never intention there to get the player but he was very quick and he’s taken a touch out in front and I wasn’t able to get the ball,” he said. “Unfortunately I got his legs and got a yellow card.”

Santalab admitted it was risky playing on the edge but insisted there was no malice his approach.

“I’m aggressive, I play with determination and want to win for my team — it comes down to winning mentality.”

AAP