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Cultures collide in football for new City magician

Emiliano Marcondes reckons his football is the perfect mix of his two cultures: Danish tactical smarts combined with Brazilian flair.

But it was his adventurous spirit that led the playmaker to trade in Europe for the A-League Men competition while still in his prime years.

And Melbourne City can thank the likes of Awer Mabil, Juan Mata and Mohamed Toure, who all gave Marcondes glowing reviews of playing in Australia, to help seal the deal.

"I really wanted to try something else and try a new adventure in a different place, in a different league. I'd been in England for almost nine years," Marcondes told AAP.

"Before I went to Norwich, I said to my agent that I wanted to try something new and something completely different.

"Because I think the football career is overall short and I want to experience different leagues and different cultures.

"Then the opportunity came here and some other places, and I thought this was the best opportunity for now and that's why I'm here."

Marcondes's father was Danish and his mother Brazilian.

He was raised in Denmark and came through that country's football pathways as a youth international, but Marcondes feels like both sides come through in his football.

"I think I'm a good mix," he said.

"The Danish in me is tactical and the position-based where you want to be smart in your positions. 

"I try still to bring some creativity and some play with clever touches or passes. I try to get inspired also still from the Brazilian players - I hope it's still in me."

City fans have already got a little glimpse.

An ankle injury suffered in pre-season meant Marcondes didn't debut until halftime of Saturday night's derby.

But when the 31-year-old came on, with City trailing Victory 1-0, he made an immediate impact, setting up Andrew Nabbout's equaliser.

Now, starting with Saturday's home clash with Sydney FC at AAMI Park, Marcondes is excited to play more with Mabil, his former teammate in Denmark.

"We played in Midtjylland and we won the championship there together, so we have good memories," Marcondes said.

"When I heard that he was on his way here, we hadn't really been speaking for a while, but we have each other on Snapchat. 

"He sent me a message saying that he was hearing some rumours. When I heard he was going, I was like, 'OK, I'm also going now'.

"He's a clever player. He knows when to position himself, when to pressure and to make the runs. Hopefully I can find him and he can find me."

Marcondes, who earned promotion to the Premier League with both Brentford and Bournemouth, wants silverware with City.

"I came to the club to be at the top," he said. 

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