It's not yet a passing of the torch in his opinion but Sydney FC coach Steve Corica admits his team needs to up their game in the rivalry with A-League Men's champions Melbourne City.
In a further indication City have assumed the mantle from the Sky Blues of being the competition's premier team, Patrick Kisnorbo's team claimed a dominant 4-0 triumph at AAMI Park on Wednesday.
It means in the past five matches between the teams who have contested the past two grand finals, City have won four with the other being a draw.
"They've got us on the back peg at the moment," Corica said.
"We have to sort it out but, for me, the game at home, we should have won that.
"We outplayed them. They scored last minute to get a win but that's the way it goes.
"It's just getting things right and we didn't do that (on Wednesday)."
Of more immediate concern for Corica is keeping his team inside the top six before a trip to Vietnam for the Asian Champions League group-stage fixtures later this month.
Sydney are now sixth on the ladder having played 22 matches.
They travel to Gosford to face in-form Central Coast on Saturday, with the Mariners having played three games less than the Sky Blues and just two points in arrears.
After that game is a clash with fifth-placed Adelaide on Tuesday before Sydney leave for their Asian adventure, and Corica was in no doubt the next two games loom as make-or-break for his team's campaign.
"A 100 per cent. They're two obviously very important games," Corica said.
"Central Coast have got games in hand but Adelaide, obviously they're close as well.
"We obviously need to win both games.
"You have to try and pick up maximum points against teams that are in and around you, especially when we've played the extra games."
Defender James Donachie picked up a calf issue against City and his fitness will be under observation before the Mariners game, but Corica will be boosted by the return of Socceroo Rhyan Grant from suspension.
Goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne may also return depending on his COVID-19 situation after missing the past two matches.
