The teams are in for this week’s massive clash with Sydney FC at AAMI Park. See who’s in and who’s out of this week’s side!
Melbourne City see the return of Jacob Melling to the team after recovering from a knock he picked up against Newcastle. The young midfielder was close to selection against Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar but has got the green light for this week’s squad to take on Sydney.
His return comes at a convenient time for Head Coach John van’t Schip with Derby goalscorer Paulo Retre sitting out this week’s contest through an accumulation of five yellow cards.
Jason Trifiro and Hernan Espindola also come into the extended side that will be reduced to 16 before kick-off.
Squad Update: Zullo marked for late inclusion
Sydney FC see a raft of important in’s and out’s this week as Graham Arnold’s men will look to stall an in-form City side that lost its first match in five on Sunday.
Shane Smeltz and Filip Holosko return to the side and are likely to play a part in the match, with captain Alex Brosque (hamstring) and striker Matt Simon (suspension) out of the side.
Sydney were dominant at home last week against the Mariners and it was only the third time the Sky Blues scored more than two goals in a match this season, with their last 2+ goal haul coming in their 4-2 loss to Melbourne Victory in November.
Match Details
Saturday, 2 January 2016
Melbourne City FC v Sydney FC
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 7:30 PM (Local) (7:30 PM (AEDT))
Referee: Strebre Delovski
Assistant Referee 1: Brad Hobson
Assistant Referee 2: George Lakrindis
Fourth Official: Lucien Laverdure
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 7.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport X (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 774 ABC Melbourne, 702 ABC Sydney, ABC Local Radio Vic, ABC Local Radio NSW, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live.
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #MCYvSYD
To purchase tickets visit www.a-league.com.au/tickets
Melbourne City FC squad: 1. Thomas SORENSEN (GK), 3. Aaron HUGHES, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 8. Aaron MOOY, 9. Harry NOVILLO, 10. Robert KOREN, 11. Michael ZULLO, 15. David WILLIAMS, 16. Jason TRIFIRO, 19. Ben GARUCCIO, 20. Tando VELAPHI (GK), 21. Stefan MAUK, 22. Jack CLISBY, 23. Bruno FORNAROLI, 24. Patrick KISNORBO (c), 25. Jacob MELLING, 30. Hernan ESPINDOLA, 34. Stefan ZINNI
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 16. Jason TRIFIRO, 25. Jacob MELLING, 30. Hernan ESPINDOLA (all promoted), 11. Michael ZULLO (returns from injury)
Outs: 18. Paulo RETRE (suspended – accumulation 5 cards)
Unavailable: 4. Connor CHAPMAN (knee – 2-3 months), 7. Corey GAMEIRO (knee – season), 14. James BROWN (foot – 1-2 weeks), 26. Marc MARINO (knee – 3 weeks).
Sydney FC squad: 1.Vedran JANJETOVIC (gk), 2.Seb RYALL, 3.Alex GERSBACH, 5.Matt JURMAN, 6. Robert STAMBOLZIEV, 7.Andrew HOOLE, 8.Milos DIMITRIJEVIC, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Christopher NAUMOFF, 13.Brandon O’NEILL, 19. Jacques FATY, 20.Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21. Filip HOLOSKO, 23.Rhyan GRANT, 24.George BLACKWOOD, 25.Aaron CALVER, 27.Mickael TAVARES
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 9.Shane SMELTZ (return from injury), 11.Christopher NAUMOFF (promoted), 21. Filip HOLOSKO (return from suspension), 25.Aaron CALVER (promoted)
Outs: 14.Alex BROSQUE (hamstring – 1 week), 18. Matt SIMON (suspended – 1 week)
Unavailable: 22.Ali ABBAS (knee – indefinite)
