Second-year Mariner Gianni Stensness starred in the middle of the park during Satuday’s F3Derby and is excited to take on ladder leaders Melbourne City on Saturday night in Melbourne.
The 22-year-old was everywhere at McDonald Jones Stadium, completing 90% of his passes, winning five of his six tackles and 11 duels too, while two clearances and three interceptions helped keep the Jets at bay.
Stensness has formed a strong partnership in the middle of the park with Captain Oliver Bozanic and said this week that he feels as if he is growing into his role in his second full A-League season.
“I think I’m getting more confident and more comfortable,” he said.
“I’ve created a great partnership with Oli this season, it’s been pretty stable.”
"Giaaaniiiiii"
Find yourself a hype man like @oliverbozanic ?#CCMFC #WontBackDown pic.twitter.com/cmkQ0aQ54Z— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) May 17, 2021
“Obviously I had that injury in the middle. I think I’m learning more about positioning and getting more comfortable, especially with our kind of shape, I think it’s working really well.”
That injury saw Stensness miss several matches, including the previous meeting against this weekend’s opponents down in Melbourne. But with a renewed positivity amongst the squad after Saturday’s derby win he said the team are looking forward to the blockbuster clash, and so is he.
“Look it’s huge we’re feeling really good right now,” he said.
“We’re back in and the boys are laughing and it’s really good, we’re really positive going into Melbourne City.”
“Obviously having that slow run of points, it was tough because I think our performances were pretty good, we just couldn’t pick up that many wins but that one over Newcastle is huge.”
“It’s a huge game [against City].”
“They are top of the table and they are a great team, they have been playing some amazing football and I think they know we’re coming for them.”
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge of playing them, I missed the last game and played the one before but I can’t wait for it.”
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