Markus Babbel has vowed to show Leeds United what Western Sydney Wanderers are capable of in their homecoming match on Saturday night.
Wanderers return to their spiritual home of Parramatta on Saturday 20 June, where they play their maiden match at Bankwest Stadium against Marcelo Bielsa’s English Championship side.
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The Whites suffered a 4-0 defeat against Premier League giants Manchester United in Perth on Wednesday night, with Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, Phil Jones and Anthony Martial on the scoresheet.
Babbel was impressed with the fast tempo on display at Optus Stadium but insists Wanderers will not be turning up to defend for their lives.
“For us, it’s a special situation because it’s the first game at home, our new home, and also against a European side, Leeds United, a big club. It’s fantastic,” the Wanderers head coach said on Thursday.
“I watched them yesterday, it was a really good game. Especially the pace in the game, for a pre-season game was really good.
“It’s a top side and it will be a very difficult game for us because they bring a lot of speed, a lot of quality on the pitch.
“We want to show what we can do. We definitely are not parking a coach in the box.
“We will try also to play football and hopefully we can see a good game.“
“It’s a special game and we hope we can put something in to make it a special day for our supporters.“
Babbel confirmed that his new recruits should all get some pre-season minutes under their belts at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday, although Swiss goalkeeper Daniel Lopar was shaking off an illness.
Western Sydney fans will be eager to see what the likes of Polish number 10 Radoslaw Majewski and Swiss midfield general Pirmin Schwegler can bring to the side, and Babbel revealed there may be more to come.
“I don’t want to just sign players, they have to want to come to us,” Babbel explained.
“We are a special club, we have perfect conditions here, we have a top training ground and now a top stadium.
“I only want to have players who want to identify 100% with Western Sydney Wanderers.
“We had luck, we have already signed top players, but we are still looking for more of them.”
