Melbourne City FC will be looking to return to the winner’s list when they host Wellington Phoenix on Friday night. Ahead of the match, we take a look at the key numbers between two attacking midfielders, Riley McGree and Roy Krishna.
Riley McGree and Roy Krishna may be separated by 11-years when it comes to age, but both players have the x-factor that is needed to win a match off their own boot.
As we have to come to know, both players are capable of producing something out of nothing, and often the spectacular. In a game where both teams will be desperate to secure the three points, there is every chance that one of McGree or Krishna could be the match-winner.
So far this season, the two attacking midfielders have had positive starts to their respective seasons.
In City blue, 20-year-old McGree found the back of net three minutes into his league debut for the Club against cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory.
Meanwhile for the Phoenix, Krishna scored their Round 1 match-winner in the 89th minute against Newcastle Jets.
Both players might have registered one goal apiece this season, but the Nix attacker has two more shots on target than his City counterpart, with four shots on target in three rounds.
Other than finding the back of the net, McGree’s major strength is his creativity and his ability to create chances for his teammates. The attacker has featured in three matches this season, including two starts, where he has made five key attacking passes – four more than his opponent has registered. McGree has also registered one successful cross (Krishna – 0).
In terms of distribution, McGree has the edge over his opponent. So far this season he has made 65 successful passes, travelling at a pass accuracy percentage of 79.3 per cent. In comparison, Krishna has made 38 successful passes, going at a pass accuracy percentage of 65.5 per cent.
Furthermore, McGree’s ability to skip past defenders with ease is demonstrated by the numbers. He has completed seven successful dribbles, which is four more than his Fijian opponent.
When it comes to the defensive side of the game both players have demonstrated their willingness to track back and win the ball back. Krishna has won four tackles (80 per cent tackle success rate), while McGree has won three (100 per cent tackle success rate). Both players have also made one interception apiece, with Krishna also registering one clearance.
Krishna’s threat in the attacking third may explain why he has been fouled on seven occasions this season. In the reverse, he has also conceded 10 free kicks.
When it comes to the attacking third, the numbers suggest that both players will be a real chance of shaping the game off their own boot. With defenders hot on their heels, it remains to be seen which player will step-up to the occasion.
City host Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park on Friday night, kick-off 7:50pm.
