Despite taking home three points, Melbourne City coach Erick Mombaerts was far from pleased with his side’s 2-1 victory over Adelaide United on Sunday afternoon.

Mombaerts believes the side lacked the necessary control throughout the second half of the game to win matches consistently, which given they play again in less than 72 hours, has the Frenchman concerned.

“I’m happy about the win, but I’m not happy about the style we have played today,” he said.

“The second half I expect better”. I expect our team (to have) better control of the game.”

Mombaerts was particularly concerned with the right side of the field, opting to sub off forward Ramy Najjarine at half time.

“I expect better, offensively and defensively, we were in trouble on the right side, my job is to correct this, we know it is a young player, but standards are high and sometimes you have to analyse the performance of the player.”

In a quirk of the fixture, City will take on Adelaide again on Wednesday night, this time in the FFA Cup Final at Coopers Stadium.

If the form in the second half of Sunday’s game is anything to go by, City could be set for their first loss under the new coach.

However Mombaerts isn’t feeling any pressure to perform, instead opting to take the final in his stride.

“I enjoy (being) here, to have the chance to win a trophy, but no pressure,” he said.

“Pressure sometimes is not dangerous, but you can lose your good tactical decision-[making], so I have no pressure.”

In the club’s 10 years of existence, City has been a perennial underachiever with only one piece of silverware to their name, the FFA Cup in 2016.

Adelaide, on the other hand, is looking to win back-to-back trophies.

The expectation to perform doesn’t just fall on the players, it lands on the coach’s shoulders as well.

Mombaerts has been given a talented squad with Scott Jamieson and Harrison Delbridge in defence and forwards Jamie Maclaren and Craig Noone forming a deadly combination up front.

He said he was hopeful the win on Sunday would assist them in their quest to claim a second trophy.

“I prefer to have won this game for the confidence,” Mombaerts said.

“But maybe for Adelaide coach [Gertjan Verbeek], it’s different because maybe [there is] more motivation.”

“It’s always better when you win, also we know that we can create some good chances.”

Maclaren will be crucial in capitalizing on said chances, having booted six goals in four FFA Cup games thus far.

Feature Image Credit: Ngau Kai Yan