How Melbourne Victory react to Patrick Kisnorbo's departure could prove a pivotal fork in the road in their bid for A-League Men silverware.
How Melbourne City take it to their arch-rivals in their first meeting since Kisnorbo's exit could define their own campaign.
Both insist they are ready to stand up and be counted in Saturday's Christmas derby at AAMI Park.
Following Kisnorbo's shock walk-out after just seven league games at the helm to pursue an overseas opportunity, the club's former star Archie Thompson believes a positive result in interim coach Arthur Diles' first game at the helm is now crucial.
"When you think of what's happened in the week - we don't want to be losing this and then all of a sudden the fans start to go, 'Oh, wow, this season is going to fall apart'," Thompson told AAP.
"I know these are one-off games, and you can come into this game being full of form and and then also you turn off - and then a game could just be turned on its head.
"That's just the way it is. Sometimes it doesn't matter about preparation.
"I've been in this position, I know how exciting it is to win a game leading into Christmas and what it is for the fans. It's amazing. So it's so important to get a result."
Diles has the ultimate faith in his players to handle the occasion.
"It's a fantastic change room," he said.
"They've overcome this situation pretty quickly, and the strength of that change room is the most important thing."
Victory skipper Roderick Miranda added: "We don't need extra motivation for nothing.
"As players, we already have our responsibility and our pressure to make sure that we're getting three points each game.
"It's a derby, a special night, so hopefully we can give a big Christmas gift."
A bumper crowd is expected for Saturday night's tussle between third-placed Victory and fourth-placed City.
After City crumbled last time around, conceding three goals inside 25 minutes, they will be determined not to be intimidated.
"Every player wants to play in front of a big crowd, and they get the opportunity," their coach Aurelio Vidmar said.
"You've just got to really soak it up. Even for the young boys who will play, just soak it up.
"Great atmosphere. It's something that they're always - you would think - look forward to, playing in front of a big crowd.
"So I think it's going to be a really good game.
"There's always something happening in derbies and let's hope that, first of all, it's a great game and that we can get on the right side of the coin."
