What Milicic expects to learn from USA friendly

Ante Milicic is looking at the bigger picture ahead of Friday’s highly anticipated Westfield Matildas clash with the USA.

Milicic, 45, believes what he sees on the field from the Westfield Matildas in just his fourth match in charge will take precedence over the result against Jill Ellis’s world No.1 ranked side.

“What I really want to learn is to see how our players play our way of football,” Milicic said.

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“For us, this is a chance to keep going through our processes and sticking towards it.

“This team will approach every game going to win. We want to win games, we want to dominate games, we want to play in the opposition half – that’s clear.

“But at the same time, results get important when we come to the World Cup. Tomorrow night, again, it’s going to be about us and how we play and approach the game.

“My main focus is on creating a strong, positive environment, working on our playing style and being prepared for that first game [at the World Cup] against Italy.

“Yes, we want to win that game tomorrow, but we’re looking at the bigger picture.”

Milicic also revealed he would not be risking injured Westfield Matildas Laura Alleway, Chloe Logarzo and Steph Catley in Friday’s encounter.

Melbourne Victory defender Alleway and Sydney FC maestro Chloe Logarzo have not recovered from pre-existing ankle injuries, while Melbourne City defender Catley is suffering from calf tightness.

“We don’t want to rush players back and we have a duty of care to them, especially being so close to the World Cup,” Milicic said.

“It’s an opportunity for players and that what we want to do. This camp has got five new players from the last camp that we had, so it’s just about giving opportunities to the girls.”

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Upcoming Match | Westfield Matildas

United States of America vs. Westfield Matildas (international friendly)
Date: Friday, 5 April 2019 (AEDT)
Venue: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado
Kick-off: 12.30pm Friday, 5 April 2019 (AEDT); 7.30pm Thursday, 4 April (local); Broadcast: Live in Australia on FOX SPORTS 503 and SBS Television, streamed on theworldgame.com.au.