Judging by Thomas Broich’s claim that Brisbane’s shot at history on Saturday night is just another game, the unbeaten Roar don’t seem to be getting ahead of themselves.
But if any players were, they certainly would have changed their tune after Tuesday’s training session in Brisbane.
After being thrashed at training on a steamy day, coach Ange Postecoglou then brought the team together to deliver a no-nonsense address.
Equalling Australian club sport’s unbeaten record of 35 straight games has clearly earned the Roar no respite.
And Postecoglou made no apologies as they looked to make the record their own against Perth Glory at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
“They are not the kind of group to be getting carried away, (but) there can be a tendency sometimes when things are going well to expect things to happen,” he said.
“But by keeping working the boys hard, it sends the right message to them as to why we have been so successful.”
If the message was to pull their heads in, it clearly worked on Broich.
The German import even rolled out the old adage “it’s just another game” despite having history beckoning.
“It’s not really (important). We are not winning a championship or anything,” he said of the Perth clash.
“It is nice to be in the history books but that’s it.
“It is just another game.
“It is nice to be unbeaten but there is no extra pressure (to win this weekend).”
Yet Postecoglou indicated the Roar were ready to rise to the occasion this weekend.
After watching Perth’s gutsy 2-2 draw last round against Melbourne Victory, the Roar mentor claimed the Glory were a championship threat – and therefore deserved something special on Saturday night.
“I expect them to be one of the teams to challenge for the title,” he said.
“(But) we like to do well against the teams that are around us (in title contention) – it sends a firm message as to where we are at.
“It is important we play as well as we possibly can.”
Postecoglou said it would make their remarkable record “more significant” if they could do it in front of a packed Suncorp Stadium.
“It would be a great reward for a team that week in, week out overcame every obstacle thrown at them – but it’s a game of football against a pretty decent opponent,” he said.
“We have to focus on that.”
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