The clash
After back to back home games, Melbourne City FC will hit the road this week to take on Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium.
City didn’t suffer a defeat in January, ending the month with a pair of wins and a pair of draws.
The most recent came last Saturday night against Perth with the teams playing out a scoreless draw.
It was an evenly fought contest with neither side giving much away and both teams content with a draw.
Although they didn’t win, it was a solid performance from City who ended Perth’s six game winning streak.
Adelaide’s last fixture was quite the opposite, as the Reds travelled to Footscray to take on Western United and left with all three points, winning 3-4 in an enthralling contest.
A brace inside 15 minutes from Nikola Mileusnic along with a goal minutes later from Riley McGree had Adelaide comfortably 3-1 up early in the first half.
The hosts fought hard to equalise in the second half but a 79th minute goal to Nathan Konstandopoulos was enough for the visitors to win their second game in a row after losing the previous four.
It’s been an up and down season for United, who are the only A-League team not to have a draw, splitting their 14 games; seven wins and seven losses, while also having both scored and conceded 24 goals.
City’s defence has been strong for the last few weeks and has kept two clean sheets in a row after only managing two in its first 13 games.
The inclusion of new signing Jack Hendry was a big part in that last week with the former Celtic centre-back looking at home in his first outing in City colours.
Last time they met
These teams last met in the FFA Cup final in October last year with the Reds scoring a comfortable 4-0 victory to lift the trophy in front of their home fans.
The last A-League meeting came just three days before the cup final and it was a better result for City on that day, winning 2-1 at home. Jamie Maclaren scored a first half double to get City off to a flyer before Riley McGree pulled one back in the second half for United.
Team news
City’s squad will be bolstered by the returns of Tom Glover, Connor Metcalfe, Ramy Najjarine and Denis Genreau who will all be in the squad for the first time this year after returning from Olyroos duty where they were able to help the team qualify for the Tokyo Olympic.
What was said
Head Coach Erick Mombaerts
“It’s important to focus on what we can do. It’s also important to adapt to the strengths of our opponent. We need to have better control with the ball but also be careful with turnovers and when Adelaide are in transition, we know how good they are with that.”
What’s next?
City will return from Adelaide to host the Victory in what will be the last derby of the season!
Under Erick Mombaerts, City are yet to win a derby with the season opener a scoreless draw and the Victory claiming the Christmas derby 2-1, so you can expect a fired-up City team! The derby will kick off at 7:30pm on Friday 7 February and you can purchase your tickets here!
