By Kieran Yap 22/12/23
Above: Emina Ekic. Photo: Melbourne City.
Melbourne City’s Emina Ekic spoke to the media ahead of Melbourne City’s big game against their local rivals.
Melbourne City are looking to bounce back for their first win in three matches, and the opportunities do not come much bigger than the Christmas Derby against Melbourne Victory.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, City winger Emina Ekic was excited for the game, and the opportunity to return to the winners list after a loss to Perth Glory and a draw to Brisbane Roar.
“The vibe is great, training has been good and we’re excited about the game, it’s a big game.
“I know emotions are going to run high so that might switch up how we play out football. But we’re just going to go in and do what we do.
“We’re not going to change much. We’re going to play football, try to keep the ball, try to keep possession, and get some good chances.”
That City style of play is one of the reasons that Ekic cited for her return to Melbourne City. She initially joined on loan from Racing Luisville last season, but recently completed a two-year deal at the club that she feels valued her as a person as much as a player.
“I came on loan, and I had a great time. I didn’t know what I was expecting because I grew up playing…club soccer, college soccer, I got drafted, played pro-soccer. So me leaving was the first time I’ve ever left.
“I didn’t know what I was getting into but I fell in love with this place. I loved how much I learned in a short period of time and that really influenced me coming back to grow individually and become a better player.”
Ekic is American born, but has recently been selected to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina. She loves European football and the chance to represent her heritage on the world stage, but does admit that the travel has been difficult, not just for her but also for her teammates.
Rebekah Stott, Naomi Chinnama, and Danielle Galic all spent time abroad during the last international window. With the talent on City’s roster, it is a challenge they have to adapt to, although Ekic is not using it as an excuse.
“It’s been tough,” she says of the travel.
“I travelled myself and it’s short period’s of time in different time-zones and then coming back and readjusting.
“Picking up some sniffles, some sicknesses just because of all the travel, so it has been difficult, but the club takes good care of us.”
But for now, the immediate challenge is Victory. While City have stumbled slightly in recent games, this weeks opponents have now gone six weeks undefeated. As a coach, Dario Vidosic has not defeated their crosstown rivals, but Ekic says that the team are growing together and the manager has been more willing to take risks while staying true to his football philosophy.
“I would say it’s part of the journey,” she says of City’s form.
“I would say that we havn’t peaked and I think we’ve been doing well up to this point.
“Obviously we did get a loss and a tie, but I think we needed that. I think that was the adversity that we needed to be like ‘ok, we need to fix some things.’
“We know it’s not perfect and I think it’s just going to add to our game when we do peak when it’s time at the end of the season.”
City take on Victory on Saturday afternoon at AAMI Park.
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