As a player and a manager, Ronny Deila is no stranger to the intensity of a derby. As Celtic head coach, he was on the sideline for one of the world’s greatest rivalry matches against Rangers.
Whether it's the Old Firm Derby in Glasgow or the Hudson River Derby in New York, fans play a vital role in helping sway momentum.
This next chapter of the Hudson River Derby on Thursday (7 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, DAZN in Canada) will be like none that preceded it because Red Bull Arena will be without fans from both teams as the New York Red Bulls and NYCFC restart their 2020 season.
And though there will be no tifo, smoke bombs or chants reverberating through the arena, Deila said a derby is still a derby.
“The players know it. You can feel it also during the week that this is something special,” the NYCFC coach said in a conference call Tuesdag. “It’s very important we have calm heads, but aggressive legs, that we are disciplined and use our head. But at the same time we have to be really physical and aggressive when we show up to the game. Finding that balance between calmness and aggression is going to be important.”
While the derby’s balance has tilted from all-red in the early stages to more neutral, the Red Bulls have dominated at home with a 5-1-1 record in regular season contests. There were two additional U.S. Open Cup wins in Harrison.
Veteran center back Maxime Chanot knows that narrative all to well, so the Luxembourg international thinks perhaps NYCFC gains an edge in that department Thursday night.
“Our situation is going to be easier because we play away at Red Bull Arena,” he said. “It’s always tough to play [there] as an away team, so I think it’s going to help us play without fans for sure.”
Deila said the status of Maxi Moralez will be a game-day decision. The Argentine playmaker still has lingering issues with his calf that limited his performance at the MLS is Back Tournament last month.
“We don’t know yet,” said Deila, who confirmed Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and Gedion Zelalem have been ruled out through injury. “That’s because he still has some issues with his calf. We’re working hard to sort it out. He’s training a little bit and then he’s a little bit out. We have to see up to the game.”
