Melbourne City FC will look to return to winning ways and continue our pursuit of top spot when it takes on Melbourne Victory in Saturday’s Melbourne Derby.
With a 0-6 win coming in our away derby last month, you won’t want to miss this one – click here to get your tickets now!
📺 Our good friends @AdamandSymon (of @GoggleboxAU Australia fame) recently visited us for a little video session ahead of the #MelbDerby.#CmonCity | 🎟 https://t.co/j7mxb9INlI pic.twitter.com/o4ZIrFvIrA
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) April 13, 2021
The clash
In City’s most recent fixture, the team were held to its first draw of the 2020/21 season, recovering after going a goal down to secure a 1-1 away result against Sydney FC.
The home team were immediately on the front foot, making it difficult for City to get the ball out of their own half and threatening Tom Glover’s goal on several occasions throughout the opening 45 minutes.
After City eventually caved in to the pressure and conceded a goal to Kosta Barbarouses, the boys found their feet and pushed right back, dominating the remainder of the second half and earning a deserved equaliser through a 98th minute penalty that was thrashed into the back of the net by Jamie Maclaren.
🧊 Macca with ice in his veins!
A late, late equalisers from the penalty spot after Marco Tilio was taken down in the box.#CmonCity | #SYDvMCY | #ALeague 🎥 @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/4Vm5uBoLM1
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) April 10, 2021
Whilst it mightn’t have been the result many were expecting given our solid recent form, the result is still a very respectable one given the pedigree of the opposition, and the point will go a long way towards our charge at the Premier’s Plate.
Our upcoming Derby opponents have struggled this season, but managed to snap their six-game winless run with a victory over Newcastle Jets away from home.
In a clash between 11th and 12th, Victory were made to work for their win and were well-matched by a spirited Jets outfit that held the ascendancy at several periods of the game.
Fans will require little reminding of the result from the last Melbourne Derby, no doubt hoping for a repeat of City’s dominant performance when the teams clash again this Saturday.
Melbourne City FC squad
1.Tom GLOVER (gk), 2.Scott GALLOWAY, 3.Scott JAMIESON (c), 4.Nuno REIS, 7.Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 8.Aiden O’NEILL, 9.Jamie MACLAREN, 10.Florin BERENGUER-BOHRER, 11.Craig NOONE, 14.Naoki TSUBAKI, 15.Andrew NABBOUT, 16.Taras GOMULKA, 17.Stefan COLAKOVSKI, 18.Connor METCALFE, 19.Ben GARUCCIO, 20.Adrian LUNA, 22.Curtis GOOD, 23.Marco TILIO, 33.Matthew SUTTON (gk), 36.Kerrin STOKES.
**2 to be omitted**
In: 3.Scott JAMIESON (returns from injury), 8.Aiden O’NEILL (returns from injury), 36.Kerrin STOKES (promoted).
Out: 43.Alec MILLS (not selected).
Unavailable: 13.Nathaniel ATKINSON (hamstring).
What was said?
“It’s a massive game for both clubs. We all know what happened last time and it was a great confidence boost for us but no game repeats itself. We just need to make sure we turn up tomorrow night with that same mentality and belief.”
-Jamie Maclaren
Match Details
A-League Round 17
Melbourne City FC vs Melbourne Victory
Saturday 17 April, kick-off 7:10pm
AAMI Park
