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Bulls to rotate as A-League nears unknown

3 minute read

Macarthur FC coach Ante Milicic is urging all of his squad to be prepared with the A-League's uncertain fixture list to test fitness and energy levels.

ANTE MILICIC.
ANTE MILICIC. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Macarthur FC coach Ante Milicic is urging his team to just roll with the punches as the A-League heads into the unknown.

The competition draw is only confirmed up to March 2 when Brisbane Roar face Perth Glory with all fixtures beyond that date yet to be made public following the uncertainty over border closures earlier in the year due to the COVID pandemic.

The Bulls completed the second game of a three-game week on Tuesday, moving to third on the ladder with a 2-0 win at Brisbane Roar.

Having made seven changes to his starting XI from last Saturday's 2-2 draw with Western Sydney, Milicic couldn't have been happier with the victory at Dolphin Stadium and said it showed how important utilising a full squad is going to be during such a uncertain schedule.

"We keep saying, boys, you'll get an opportunity. Don't know when it's going to be. Don't know for how long it will be, but you've got to be ready," he said.

"We don't even know the draw. We don't know where we're going, but you have got to be at that level when your chance comes that you take it.

"We know we've got the draw for the next week or so. After that, no-one knows. Everyone's in the same boat.

"For us it's just a matter of making sure that we're on top of things."

Macarthur head back to Sydney on Wednesday with another game at home against Adelaide United on Friday.

Milicic didn't take several players including French import Loic Puyo to Brisbane in a bid to keep them fresh for the clash with the Reds.

"We've got quite a few players in our squad that before this season their last match minutes were pre-COVID," Milicic said.

"You have to understand that obviously we weren't in the Hub last year so our boys didn't finish playing in July or August.

'He's (Puyo) one that we're managing loads but there's also (Aleksander) Jovanovic we left behind as well James Meredith."

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