We return to AAMI Park for the first time in 2019, as we take on Newcastle this Sunday 6 January. Ahead of the match, we take a look at the five things to look forward to.
Winning momentum
Melbourne City will be looking to make it back-to-back wins to open the New Year, when they host Newcastle at AAMI Park.
Head Coach Warren Joyce’s side opened 2019 with a 2-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers on New Year’s Day. City’s win was the Club’s first over the Wanderers in Western Sydney.
City will be looking to continue the winning momentum and extend their unbeaten run to four matches when they host the Jets this weekend.
Fixtures aplenty
City face a short turnaround following their New Year’s Day clash. Being the jampacked period which is the summer of football, the home side has a five-day turnaround before their Round 11 clash.
Like City, Newcastle find themselves in a similar situation, having played out a 2-2 draw with Brisbane Roar at McDonald Jones Stadium on Wednesday night.
With both teams facing busy periods, the contest may be decided by which team can run out the game stronger.
Second time up
Sunday’s clash will be the second time City host Newcastle this season, following their 3-0 win over the Jets at AAMI Park in Round 6.
As they continue to pile pressure on the teams before them on the league ladder, City will be looking to make it two from two against their rivals.
Last time round, Riley McGree, Luke Brattan and Lachlan Wales all found the back of the net, a feat that they will no doubt be looking to repeat.
Goalkeeping heroics
Just when you thought Eugene Galekovic couldn’t get any better, he did.
City’s shot-stopper produced one of the all-time great A-League goalkeeping displays against the Wanderers, ensuring that the three-points returned to Melbourne.
Joyce’s side currently leads the competition for clean sheets, conceding the least amount of goals this season, and there is no doubt that Galekovic’s form has been a decisive factor as we lead the competition for defensive displays.
Attacking prowess
We might have the strongest defensive record in the league, but our attack continues to produce down the other end.
Youngsters Riley McGree and Lachlan Wales continue to blossom, pairing up with experienced duo Luke Brattan and Dario Vidosic.
The experience of Vidosic to throw long and find Wales led to our opener against the Wanderers, while McGree’s fearless attacking approach set-up Ritchie De Laet for our second.
With a combination of youth and experience leading our attack, the team is set to build on each performance as they continue to gel.
