Matches between Kuala Lumpur City and Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in recent times have often carried an edge, even more so since Bojan Hodak became coach of the city side, as the two teams prepare to renew hostilities in the Super League today.
JDT have had an axe to grind against KL ever since they lost 1-0 in a 2018 Super League match in Cheras, which infamously took two days to finish due to heavy rain forcing a halt to the original fixture the previous night.
Since then, JDT ran roughshod over KL in the next three meetings, winning by a combined score of 10-1, until Hodak, who led the Southern Tigers to their first league title in 2014, entered the fray last season.
The two teams met three times in 2021 with a 1-1 league draw in Cheras followed by an inconsequential 2-1 win for JDT in Iskandar Puteri when they had wrapped up their eighth league title beforehand, and the Malaysia Cup denouement in which KL stunned the former AFC Cup champions 2-0 in Bukit Jalil.
A determined JDT avenged that defeat with a 3-0 win in the Charity Cup in February at a time when KL were in disarray over late payment of wages, Covid-19 infections and injuries to key players.
"That time before the season was not a good time for us. We had problems with Covid and injuries," said Hodak.
With last season's Malaysia Cup top scorer Romel Morales set to make his belated 2022 debut, Hodak said: "Now everybody is getting into shape, and we look better already. We are not yet at the level of the Malaysia Cup last year, but we are better than when the season started.
"It will be good to play the best team in the country to see what our level is at the moment."
KL defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco acknowledges the fact that his side have been a thorn in JDT's side of late, but only because Hodak has raised the standard of the Malaysia Cup champions.
"There always is an edge with them. They are the top powerhouse in Malaysia now," said Australian Gallifuoco, looking to plug the holes in a defence that has conceded six goals in their first two Super League games from which KL took just one point.
"I think they realise what we did last year, especially in the second six months of the season, when we established ourselves as a new player in the league and are a threat in every game.
"We want to perform and set things right after the Charity Cup game, so on our end, there will be an edge too.
"I'm a believer that when you've had a hard start, the best way to overcome it is with a big game. Some people prefer the easy option but after the break, we look good and sharp so why not take on the biggest challenge."
Just as in 2018, KL will be looking for their first league win this season against league champions JDT at Cheras, where they are unbeaten in 23 matches.
"We go into every game wanting to win and this game is the same," Hodak added.
"They are the best team in the country with the best players. However, we are at home, and we have to try to get a positive result."