Tony Popovic might be lacking Diego Castro and Brendon Santalab for his first match in charge of Perth Glory against Western Sydney Wanderers but is confident of a strong A-League opening from his new team.
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Perth and Western Sydney might enter the new season with many predicting them to finish at opposite ends of the table. However, Popovic's Glory expect to be the league's big improvers in his first season in charge.
But he faces a fascinating first test on Sunday against his former club and without some firepower in the form of new captain Castro and former Wanderer Santalab with hamstring complaints.
He's confident he has a squad capable of a strong showing, though, led by new arrivals Tomislav Mrcela, Jason Davidson, Ivan Franjic, Matthew Spiranovic, Chris Ikonomidis, Fabio Ferreira and Juande.
"It needs to be a collective effort and that's something we've worked hard on in the pre-season," Popovic said.
"We've had a few games now where Andy (Keogh) has been out injured so we've had to find ways to create chances, and if you create chances I believe we've got the players who can score. Hopefully that will show on Sunday."
It's only fitting Popovic's first game at the helm of Glory is against the Wanderers but for the man who led Western Sydney to the 2014 Asian Champions League, this isn't about him.
"This game means a lot and I wouldn't say so much for me but for the players and the club," Popovic said.
"The players have worked extremely hard over a long pre-season and they feel very positive, and now it's about putting together a performance on Sunday that gives us a chance of winning and getting the three points.
"I'm confident in what I've seen in pre-season that we can perform in front of our fans and members, and get off to a very good start."
New Wanderers coach Markus Babbel might be in charge of a group expected to struggle this season but he sees no reason they can't start the season on a high.
"We know they are a team with big experience and you can see they are tough and hardened in the game so we have to be ready," Babbel said.
"But we also have some abilities and the most important thing is to show it on Sunday. We know it's not easy to win there because it's a long travel and the time difference, but that is not an excuse for me. if we want to win, I think we have a good chance to win there. If not, then it's difficult."
Australian Associated Press
