The clash
Fresh off booking a place in the 2019 FFA Cup Final, Melbourne City will be looking to open their 2019/20 Hyundai A-League account with a win when they take on Melbourne Victory at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
As Head Coach Erick Mombaerts looks ahead to his first ever A-League game in charge of City, he’ll be hoping his side can carry their Cup form into the Round 1 encounter. Since Mombaerts took the reins, City have displayed a free-flowing attacking style of football – a style of play you can expect to see in the manager’s first ever Melbourne Derby.
With Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren away with the national team, City will look towards their other attacking options to step up in his absence, and one of those options is Craig Noone. Since the Englishman’s arrival in Melbourne at the beginning of pre-season, he has worked tirelessly on the training track and impressed in each of City’s pre-season fixtures.
Similarly, both Josh Brillante and Scott Galloway have slotted in seamlessly since joining the Club. With Victory sporting a fierce attack, both players will need to be at their best to nullify their rivals’ threat.
There’s no doubt that on enemy territory, Victory will be a fierce competitor with their own new recruits. But if recent history is anything to go by, City thrive under the pressure of taking on their cross-town rivals away from home.
While there are a host of players from both sides playing in their first Melbourne Derby, it’s a fixture that fans from both sides have enjoyed over the past decade. Following a long off-season, anticipation for our Round 1 opener is sky high as we prepare for what is set to be an exciting season ahead.
Last time they met
The last time the two teams met was in February this year, as the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in Round 20 of the 2018/19 Hyundai A-League season at Marvel Stadium.
Jamie Maclaren netted his first Melbourne Derby goal from the penalty spot, before Victory hit back in the second half through Kosta Barbarouses as City were forced to settle for a draw despite having the lion’s share of chances.
Team news
Jamie Maclaren and Denis Genreau miss the clash due to international duty. See full Team News here.
What was said
Melbourne City defender Curtis Good
“This team is really hungry to succeed. You can feel it out on the training track that everyone is hungry to win and that’s really important.
“It’s been a long off-season, but everyone is really excited about this weekend.”
Where and when?
Melbourne City FC take on Melbourne Victory at Marvel Stadium on Saturday 12 October in Round 1 of the 2019/20 Hyundai A-League season, kick-off 7:30pm. City’s first home game will come in Round 2, when Mombaerts’ side host Adelaide United at AAMI Park on Sunday 20 October, get your tickets here.
