When Aziz Behich last played in his hometown it was for A-League Men battlers Melbourne Heart.
More than nine years and a long career in Europe later, Behich is back at his old club - now the City Football Group-backed powerhouse Melbourne City.
But ahead of his 100th game for Heart/City, Behich has somewhat unexpectedly found himself once again part of a team trying to work its way out of the doldrums.
City have one win from their opening three ALM games, which they've juggled with Asian Champions League travel, and sacked former coach Rado Vidosic after their opening two losses.
"You want to be a part of a successful club and I'm happy that I'm back pretty much where it all started but obviously I wanted to come back because of the expectations of this club," Behich said.
"I want to win trophies, I want to play in the Champions League. So it was the main factor of coming back and obviously I love playing with the pressure.
"As a footballer you want to be a part of a club that demands winning all the time.
"Obviously we haven't had the start we wanted ... in the league. But it's still very early in the season and we're only gonna get better.
"It was a good win last week against Sydney but we've got to build on that performance because we're at home again on Sunday and it's a good opportunity to go into the break with three points."
Behich, 32, is among the most experienced heads at City.
He was confident along with captain Jamie Maclaren and fellow leaders Mathew Leckie, Tolgay Arslan and Jamie Young they could help turn things around under new coach Aurelio Vidmar.
"We have a good leadership group here and we're just trying to drive and demand not just game day but every day a high standard," Behich said.
"That's what this club's been about over the last few years and that's why they've always finished on top.
"So we're trying to continue that. A lot of new faces so it has taken a bit longer to gel than expected.
"(I'm) trying to play my part on and off the pitch and trying to move this club back up the ladder again."
