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Opinion

Did the Olyroos' win reinforce the City winter press system?

Nathaniel Atkinson impressed for Melbourne City. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
Roar Rookie
23rd July, 2021
15

Andy Harper mentioned this towards the game of against Argentina: “It was an eye-watering performance by (Nathaniel) Atkinson”.

The A-League was magnificently represented with all clubs showing their influence on football in Australia.

They came out to win from the beginning, which shows the belief of Australian football is strong in certain camps.

And this belief must start at the top with Graham Arnold.

The City alumni went crazy and turned it up to another level. Atkinson, Marco Tilio, Connor Metcalfe, Tom Glover, Lachlan Wales (who spent many seasons in Heart and City colours) and Riley McGree.

There are probably others and I apologise if I missed any.

Is it a coincidence that the City winter press could be a contributor to last night’s win?

“Having access to what Pep is doing over in Manchester through the coach educators is fantastic; we are able to tap into a lot of that information and we have close relationships with them all,” Melbourne City’s director of football Michael Petrillo told The Age.

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“Khaldoon, the chairman watches all of our games. He will be watching again on the weekend.

“Kisnorbo has been part of the City Group’s development program since he stopped playing and has come through the ranks in Melbourne, coaching the youth academy, the women’s team to a W-League championship and assisting Warren Joyce and Erick Mombaerts before becoming head coach this season.”

In an article with The Guardian, he continued on this theme.

“We want to play a certain game style, and that is in-your-face, high-pressing, winning the ball back as quickly as we can, moving constantly – and to do that for 90 minutes is difficult,” Petrillo said.

By instilling this system into the minds and bodies of the players, the whole of Australian football community benefits.

Is there any greater endorsement that football needs to be played in winter when you can run for 90 minutes?

Is this the only way to ever win the ACL again?

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