Jack Warshawsky is looking to strike the right balance going into the Isuzu UTE A-League Melbourne Derby.
Melbourne Victory take on Melbourne City for the third time this season at AAMI Park on Saturday, February 21, kick-off 7:35pm AEDT.
City took the win in November’s meeting before Victory broke back in the pre-Christmas clash, amidst their strongest run of results this term.
This weekend’s Round 18 meeting is set to be the 21-year-old goalkeeper’s first on-field taste of the contest, and he is well aware of the emotions at play.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Warshawsky talked about the fixture’s magnitude and channelling his emotions appropriately.
“I still haven’t played a lot of games. I’m making sure I play the game, not the occasion, because I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to win this one more than others.
“But like I said, just another game of football. So, I’m ensuring that I take it in my stride.”
Warshawsky made his Victory and A-League debut earlier this year when fellow ‘keeper Jack Duncan was sidelined, observing concussion protocol.
He has since made half a dozen appearances, memorably recording a clean sheet in the Big Blue, retaining the starting berth, and relishing every opportunity in Arthur Diles’ side.
“I didn’t put any pressure on myself, I just wanted to enjoy it. Because, quite frankly, I didn’t know when another game or another opportunity would come, and it’s just been more of the same for me.
“I think last weekend was my sixth game, and every game I’ve just enjoyed. And cliché, but it’s been a dream come true to finally be playing. I’ve loved every minute of it so far.”
Watch Warshawsky’s full press conference below.
