Two experienced attackers will go head-to-head when City take on Newcastle at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon. Ahead of the match, we take a look at the key number between Dario Vidosic and Dimitri Petratos.
Both Dario Vidosic and Dimi Petratos are the type of footballers that can change a match in an instance. The two experienced attackers have hit their straps in recent weeks, with both players making an impact for their respective sides.
After an interrupted start to the season, Vidosic’s influence has continued to grow with each performance. In the Christmas Derby, it was his late heroics that ensured City earned a share of the spoils, as he nodded home an excellent header in the dying stages of the match – demonstrating his great aerial strength.
One week later, on New Year’s Day against the Wanderers, it was Vidosic again who influenced the scoreboard. This time his experience saw him take a quick throw from his defensive half, releasing Lachlan Wales, who ran onto a one-on-one situation with Vedran Janjetovic to hand City a 1-0 lead.
Equally as influential, has been Petratos for the Jets. His ability to trouble the goalkeeper from just about anywhere makes his game highly unpredictable, and therefore one of the hardest players in the competition to match up on. Fresh off a commanding performance against Brisbane Roar, where he scored the opener before clattering a free-kick from distance into the crossbar, Petratos also enters Sunday’s match in-form.
When taking a look at the key numbers this season, Vidosic has played nine games for City – making three appearances off the bench during his comeback – while Petratos has played 11 games without substitution.
In the attacking third, both players have scored two goals apiece, highlighting their ability to hit the scoreboard despite playing predominantly through the midfield and out wide. Not only is their ability to hit the scoreboard a strength, but also their ability to create chances for their teammates. So far this season, Vidosic has registered two assists and Petratos three.
Petratos’ ability to create chances has been a standout strength of his game throughout his career, and this season is no different. The Jets attacker currently leads the competition in this area, having created an impressive 41 chances in 11 appearances, 12 more than his nearest rival.
For City, Vidosic’s willingness to work hard at both ends is demonstrated by the key statistics. Defensively, the City attacker has won four tackles, made eight clearances and five interceptions. For Newcastle, Petratos has won 10 tackles and made three clearances but is yet to register an interception.
When it comes to distribution, both players tend to use the ball effectively. Vidosic is currently travelling at a pass percentage ratio of 84.1 per cent, 1.1 per cent more accurate than his opponent. For passing accuracy in the opponents’ half, Vidosic also excels, currently maintaining a pass accuracy percentage of 81.6 per cent, compared to Petratos’ 70.7 per cent.
The danger that both players possess with the ball at their feet is demonstrated by the number of fouls they have won. In 11 matches, Petratos has been fouled 17 times, while in nine appearances Vidosic has been fouled seven times.
The numbers alone are enough to suggest that both players are capable of turning the game in favour of their team, but which players steps up to the plate on Sunday remains to be seen.
City host Newcastle at AAMI Park on Sunday 6 January, kick-off 5:00pm, before taking on Brisbane Roar at the same venue on Friday 11 January, kick-off 7:50pm.
