New York City FC are determined to bounce back from defeat when they take on the Red Bulls this weekend, according to Pascal Jansen.
New York City head into the clash looking to respond to Wednesday night’s 4-0 defeat away to Inter Miami. Despite starting the stronger of the two sides, New York City found themselves behind at the break before goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez confirmedvictory for Miami. Reflecting on the game, Jansen discussed the fine margins that defined the Citi FIeld encounter.
“Basically, what we expected going into this game; clinical finishing was one of the priorities,” he said. “If you see how the first half developed, apart from the first 15-20 minutes when they were trying to get into our box quite a few times but didn’t create real danger, the first two big chances were on our side. The header from Tiago and the one-v-one from Nicolás Fernández Mercau. We didn’t take them, obviously, and then it was one minor error just before the break that caught us, and we went one-nil down.
“The second half was a little so-so in balance, if you ask me, and we decided to go for a more attacking approach in the final 20 minutes. We got punished for a few minor errors on goals three and four, but the second goal from Miami you could see the quality. It was exceptional, with what Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi showed in that moment.”
Saturday’s contest sees New York City cross the Hudson River to face their local rivals, and Jansen underlined the unique intensity that comes with a derby.
“Everybody wakes up for a derby and is switched on,” he said. “That makes it quite easy for me as a coach, knowing that we have to bounce back from a result that wasn’t planned, obviously, against Miami, and now playing against Red Bull. Everybody’s switched on, so that makes the coaching job a little easier.”
New York City have only lost back-to-back matches once this season, and it is that underlying resilience that Jansen is hoping his side will produce this weekend against the Red Bulls.
“I think we gained, what was it, 23 points from coming from a losing position,” he explained. “That underlines that the mentality in this team is pretty decent, and I think that helps us. Even if we have to go through tough times in a match — like against Charlotte, or against Miami — the guys were there. I have no doubt that whenever it happens again in future games, they will show the same character.”
The Dutchman also stressed the significance of the derby, both in terms of competition and connection with supporters.
“One, we have to bounce back from a bad result in the previous game,” he said. “And two, we have to show our fan base that we are ready to compete in this derby, which is one of the most important games for everybody who is an NYCFC supporter.”
Unfortunately for New York City, they will be without Alonso Martínez, who misses the game due to injury.
“Alonso will not be available for this game,” Jansen confirmed. “As you know, he was on the bench for the game against Miami, and now we have to take a step back with Alonso. He tried, but he’s not available for this match, and it’s an adductor that is giving him some problems at the moment. The medical staff is working around the clock to make it happen as soon as possible.”
With a strong away following expected in Harrison, Jansen issued a rallying call to fans ahead of the trip.
“Put on your blue shirt, come to Jersey, come and support us with as much as you can, because we’ll need the support as normal,” he urged. “If the seats are available, jump in your car and come to Jersey.”
Elsewhere, Jansen emphasized the importance of combining passion with composure in what is always one of the season’s most heated fixtures.
“A derby everywhere around the world is always one of the most exciting games of the season, and so is this one,” he said. “It’s very important that you respect the emotions that come along with the derby, and show the emotion, show the passion in the game, and the willingness to put in a good performance — even in our case, in an away game.
“But also you have to respect the fact that derbies are always intense, and you have to make sure you stay on the pitch with 11 players. Things can become very heated in these types of games, but we have to also keep a blue head, as we call it, and stay focused on what needs to be done on the pitch to have the best result possible.”
