The clash
Melbourne City FC will be looking to make it three wins on the trot against Brisbane when they travel north to play the Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday 24 November.
Prior to the international break, City returned to the winner’s list with a 2-0 win over Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park.
Head Coach Warren Joyce’s side was the more dominant of the two, controlling possession across the 90-minutes and sealing the result with two sublime individual efforts. Belgium international Ritchie De Laet opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a thunderous strike from outside the area, before Bruno Fornaroli sealed the win with a curling effort from just outside the area.
City currently sit in third position on the league ladder with two wins, one draw and one loss, four-points ahead of this weekend’s opponents Brisbane Roar.
Without a win in the 2018/19 A-League campaign, John Aloisi’s team will be determined to return to the winner’s list in front of their home fans.
Brisbane registered their third draw in four matches in Round 4, drawing 2-2 with Western Sydney Wanderers at Glen Willow Sporting Field in Mudgee.
Western Sydney striker Oriol Riera scored a seven-minute brace to give the Wanderers a 2-0 lead inside the opening 17 minutes, before the away side worked their way back into the contest. Alex Lopez hit back just before half-time, before Adam Taggart netted the equaliser three-minutes into the second period.
With their only loss coming against Perth Glory at nib Stadium in Round 3, it’s been a frustrating start to the season for the Queensland side who has had to settle for a draw on three occasions.
Suncorp Stadium is a notoriously tough venue for the visiting side, but with both teams eager to claim the three points, we are set for a cracker.
Team news
Luke Brattan and Ramy Najjarine have been added to the extended side for the contest. See our full team news.
Last time they met
City defeated Brisbane Roar 2-0 in last season’s Elimination Final at AAMI Park.
Stefan Mauk opened the scoring in the 59th minute, before Nick Fitzgerald sealed the win with a strike in the first minute of additional time.
What was said
Head Coach Warren Joyce
“You know they have a good team that can hurt you. They have experience across the park at this level that know their job and roles.
“We’re going there knowing the challenge ahead of us and it is going to be tough.”
Brisbane Roar midfielder Stefan Mauk
“I’m someone that likes playing against someone I know,
“I feel when you come up against them there’s that little bit of extra pressure you can put on yourself, which I think I rise too.”
Where and when
City play Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday 24 November, kick-off 7:50pm, before returning to AAMI Park to host Newcastle Jets on Sunday 2 November, kick-off 7:00pm.
