The clash
Melbourne City FC will look to make it two wins in a row when it takes on Wellington Phoenix this Saturday evening at Eden Park in Auckland.
After a disappointing result the week prior against Adelaide, Erick Mombaerts’ team last week won the Melbourne Derby 2-1 at AAMI Park.
Florin Berenguer got City off to a dream start, scoring the opener in the eighth minute which was also his first A-League goal.
Berenguer also assisted City’s second goal with a beautiful backheel into the path of Jamie Maclaren who scored his 14th goal of the season.
Victory captain Ola Toivonen scored a late goal for Victory, but it wasn’t enough as City took all three points.
This weekend’s game against the Phoenix will be City’s last before next week’s bye and is a perfect chance to start a winning streak and build some momentum ahead of the last eight games of the season.
A Gary Hooper brace wasn’t enough for Wellington to pick up a win in Perth last week, going down 4-2 to the Glory.
Phoenix were down 3-0 early in the second half before Hooper scored twice in eight minutes to drag his team back into the contest but a Bruno Fornaroli goal in the 90th minute ensured the home team was safe.
Wellington currently sit in fourth place, six points behind City in second place but also with a game in hand.
City’s front third looked dangerous last week, with Maclaren, Markel Susaeta and Craig Noone all asking questions of the Victory defence.
If they are able to replicate that form, Wellington’s defence which has been prone to leaking goals at stages this year, could be in for a long day.
Last time they met
These teams last met back in round four and it was City who came out on top, winning 3-2. Hooper scored the opener, but his goal was quickly cancelled out by goals to Connor Metcalfe and Scott Galloway inside four minutes. Craig Noone scored in the second half before Ben Waine found the back of the net for the visiting Phoenix team with just seconds remaining. This win was City’s third in a row and put the club on top of the table.
Team news
Harrison Delbridge will again miss through suspension. See our full Team News here.
What was said
Melbourne City FC Head Coach Erick Mombaerts
“We were happy to win the Derby. There was good emotion, it was a game we wanted to win. But after that, after our review, we prepared for this weekend’s game – that’s the most important thing. We can’t stay with good emotion for too long, we need to prepare for the next game.”
What’s next
City will next week have a bye but will be back in action at AAMI Park the week after to take on the Brisbane Roar in a double header. The W-League match kicks-off at 4pm, with the A-League match following at 6:30pm. Tickets can be purchased here!
