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The stakes are higher, but Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat says all his players are putting their hands up to push themselves through an arduous schedule this month.
The Victory face Guangzhou Evergrande on Tuesday night in a home Asian Champions League (ACL) clash, then host Sydney FC in an elimination final on Friday night.
The Victory’s hopes of progressing to the knockout phase of the ACL could then hinge on next Tuesday’s match against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in South Korea.
The club’s ACL campaign started on February 15 and Muscat noted their approach to the two competitions would remain unchanged.
“Once again, commonsense will prevail,” Muscat said on Monday of how he will manage the players’ workload this week.
“It’s been pretty straightforward. It was something the players were well aware of, right from the start.
“The players have understood and seen it work.
“Everyone wants to play, nobody has come to me saying they’re not available – that they’re fatigued, tired, jetlagged or anything like that.”
Tom Rogic is back training as he recovers from a groin injury, but not at the sort of intensity that is likely to trigger a recall this week.
Chilean defender Pablo Contreras is however a chance of returning.
When asked which of this week’s fixtures are more important, Victory captain Mark Milligan suggested it was an easy call to make.
“Right now, tomorrow night is the most important game,” Milligan said.
“It’s the approach we’ve taken throughout the whole Champions League – the next game is the one we’re most focused on.
“If we put in a good performance and get a good result tomorrow night, I think it’s shown previously that’s helped us in the league.”
Milligan, who underwent knee surgery in January, has been particularly appreciative of Muscat’s management over the past two months.
“I’ve been fortunate that Kevin’s rotated me in and out,” he said.
“I had to find my feet and get my fitness back.
“If I wasn’t managed the way I have been, then I’d probably be in a different situation to what I am now (full match fitness).”
Guangzhou manager Marcello Lippi will be without Italian star Alessandro Diamanti due to injury and suspended Chinese striker Gao Lin.
Lippi’s charges recorded a 4-2 win over the Victory at home in February and he expected a tighter contest in Melbourne.
“We’re almost at the end of the (ACL) group (stage), at the end of the (A-League) season,” Lippi said through a translator.
“Every match is really important.”
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