Western Sydney Wanderers attacker Nicolas Milanovic admits he was hoping to put in a big performance against his old side Western United on the weekend.
Speaking to 10Bold after the Wanderers’ thrashing 5-0 victory – seeing the team score a record five goals in the first half – the 21-year-old says he wanted to prove a point against his previous employers, with whom he made 38 appearances for over two and a half seasons.
“I was manifesting it all day to be honest! It was a bit of a different game because… it was my old team.
“I grew up with these boys, I was bred into the A-League with these boys, so I just wanted to prove the point that I’m good enough for this league.”
Milanovic was one of the star performers for the Red & Black, as he helped pull the strings along with fellow goalscorer Lachlan Brook, and Milanovic was rewarded with a brace as he scored two headers in 13 first half minutes.
The first came as he snuck into the box, and with acres of space was able to nod home a Jack Clisby cross from the left wing, whilst the second goal came with almost the last kick of the half, as Milanovic timed a run to the back post perfectly to head home from close range after Brandon Borrello initially met Jorrit Hendrix’s corner.
It was a deserved reward for Milanovic, who has been one of the more impressive performers for the Wanderers so far this season; he came close to scoring in the opening game against Wellington only to be denied by a brilliant save.
Milanovic said tactical tweaks weren’t behind the sides attacking resurgence after their blank on opening weekend, but that the team instead showed more fight and grit against Western United.
“The improvement was the fight and unity we showed together, I think this week in training in particular, it wasn’t more technical (or) tactical, it was more ‘let’s show that hunger to score the goals’, and I think we showed that.”
Milanovic, who has been entrusted with a more creative role to start the season due to the absence of Milos Ninkovic, will once again hope to play a key role in the Wanderers’ next game away to the Newcastle Jets.
The youngster feels the side has a winning formula, and simply needs to stick to it going forward.
“I think (we just) continue on the route we’re going as a team, which is hard working and hard pressing. The goals will come, and it’s shown tonight (that) everyone is going to have to deal with our high press.”
