The A-League brand new boys moved to Friday night’s game in their Campbelltown Stadium home eyeing third and also a home , but rather slipped to sixth only 1 point clear of the Phoenix, using a one-sided 3-0 scoreline.
Playing their fourth game in 12 matches, Milicic signaled his principal attention was a week off by preferring to leave out a few recognizable names, such as high goalscorer Matt Derbyshire who had been one warning away from suspension.
The Bulls will, nevertheless, be without midfield import Puyo following week after he had been ignored for a large challenge before the hour-mark.
Milicic had small difficulty using the red card regardless of the Frenchman being apparently unlucky for his marching orders upon VAR review.
“We got beaten by a really good footballing side. We were not quite there now, but we have some fit minutes into some gamers,” explained Milicic.
Spanish group Benat and Markel Susaeta were equally also absent for the Bulls and Milicic was non-committal concerning the former’s potential return from a calf injury for following weekend.
“I was somewhat worried going into the game to our attacking third, overlooking Derbyshire and Susaeta.
“At the end we all turned over the ball too readily in front and they (Phoenix) are terrifying about the counter-attack.”
David Ball and Tomer Hemed scored both sides of this halftime for the Phoenix, before replacement Ben Waine added into the home side’s distress from the dying seconds.
Macarthur will face an off visit to Brisbane Roar or even Central Coast Mariners due to their own eponymous A-League semi-final.
It’s nothing but another defeat in nine trips to the Bulls and Milicic considers the outcome is much more of a blip than an issue before next weekend.
“In a one time match, with this group of players we have, we’ve got as good an opportunity as any group,” he explained.
“We know we’ve got good enough quality, and great enough professionals round the squad to realize that we’re able to resist anybody, whether that’s home or away.
“We happen to be in the top-six because Round 1 and we’re still in the top-six in the conclusion of the year, thus we are here for a reason and that’s because this facet deserve it and so are great enough.”