Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson has admitted his joy at recalling Western United star Chloe Logarzo into his side for the first time in over a year.
Last featuring for the Matildas in November 2022, Logarzo has returned to the top of her game in the Liberty A-League Women and is now ready to make her mark again as the Matildas prepare to face Uzbekistan for a place at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Logarzo has seven goal contributions in 14 appearances for Western United this season, and Gustavsson is gleaming to include her in his squad again.
“I’m really excited that Chloe is back being Chloe,” he said.
“When she gets into that mindset and she has the physical capacity to be Chloe 100%, you can see how she performs right now.”
Now approaching two and a half years since rupturing her ACL in a game for the Matildas against Ireland, Logarzo has fallen in love with the game all over again and is proving her quality to the world.
But she would never have given herself that opportunity without an elite mentality and world-class professionalism, with Gustavsson heaping praise on Logarzo for the work she has put in.
“She has worked a long time to get back where she needed to be, and her professionalism and character have gotten her back to where she is now,” he said.
“I’m really happy to bring Chloe back in. She also knows the identity of the team, she knows the playing style, so she is going to integrate quickly.”
Tony Gustavsson on recalling Chloe Logarzo into the Matildas squad
Logarzo has had an impact for Western United in her usual midfield position while also performing superbly further forward, operating as a false-nine up front on occasion for the Green and Black.
With star Matildas striker Sam Kerr set for a spell on the sidelines with an ACL injury, Gustavsson could look to use Logarzo in a similarly advance role in his team.
Highlighting Logarzo’s myriad of qualities on the pitch, Gustavsson admitted that the Matildas could use her energy and ability to impact the play in the attacking box.
“All the rebounds, the loose balls in the box – she is going to be there to poach on every single ball if she gets on the park,” he said.
“Her runs off the ball, her tackles, her one-v-one defending and attacking, her scoring ability, her ability to get in the box, her runs in behind the backline.
“And also, if you look at the opponent we’re playing now who are very well-organised and physical – we need players on the park who can get into the box and be first on the ball.”
A 55-times capped Matilda, Logarzo will fit seamlessly back into the squad and the demands of international football, something that Gustavsson has challenged her to rise up to.
“Now her step is to bring it from club to international football, in terms of intensity and football. But she has been there before and knows what it takes.”
For now, Logarzo’s focus is squarely on helping Western United maintain its charge in the Liberty A-League. The Green and Black has won four of its last five matches and three on the spin to rise up to second on the table.
Logarzo will lead Western United into a home match at City Vista Pavilion and Sports Field this Sunday against Brisbane Roar, giving the fans the chance to watch the Matildas star in action and celebrate her achievement.
