The clash
It’s been a long time coming but Melbourne City FC finally return to AAMI Park this Saturday night when we host Western United.
308 long days have passed since City’s last home match and now the time is finally here to welcome back fans and once again play in Melbourne.
City started its season with a hard-fought 0-1 win away from home against Brisbane thanks to a Connor Metcalfe second half goal but couldn’t pick up any points the following week in Adelaide.
With no game last week Patrick Kisnorbo’s men will be raring to go and will only be spurred on further by having the support of the home crowd behind them.
City’s midfield has been strong early in the season with new signing Aiden O’Neill the backbone while Metcalfe has taken his opportunity with both hands and is performing strongly.
They will be in for a big test this week, coming up against a Western United midfield led by last seasons Johnny Warren Medal winner Alessandro Diamanti.
Last season was Western United’s first in the A-League and City had plenty of success against it’s new rival, winning all four of the meetings between teams.
Golden Boot winner Jamie Maclaren did plenty of damage, scoring a total of seven goals across those fixtures with braces in the first three meetings.
He is yet to get off the mark in City’s first couple of games so will be looking to carry over last season’s form against Western.
Team news
City will be without captain Scott Jamieson for this fixture as he serves a one match suspension after picking up two yellow cards against Adelaide. Adrian Luna returns to the squad after serving his suspension in that fixture.
Melbourne City FC squad: 1.Tom GLOVER (gk), 2.Scott GALLOWAY, 7.Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 8.Aiden O’NEILL, 9.Jamie MACLAREN, 10.Florin BERENGUER-BOHRER, 11.Craig NOONE, 14.Naoki TSUBAKI, 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), 35. Raphael BORGES RODRIGUES, 36.Kerrin STOKES, 38. Jordan BOS, 42. Ahmad TALEB.
**2-4 to be omitted**
Ins: 20. Adrian LUNA (returns from suspension), 33. Matthew SUTTON (promoted), 38. Jordan BOS (promoted)
Outs: 3. Scott JAMIESON (suspension)
Unavailable: 3. Scott JAMIESON (suspension) 13.Nathaniel ATKINSON (hamstring), 15. Andrew NABBOUT (hamstring).
What was said
“We haven’t played in front of our home crowd for a long time and we can’t wait for that to happen. We can’t wait for it to come because for us, there is nothing better and we have waited a long time.”
-Patrick Kisnorbo
Match details
A-League Round 4
Melbourne City FC v Western United
AAMI Park
Saturday January 16, kick off 7.05pm
