Melbourne City returns to AAMI Park this Friday night with just four games remaining in the 2024/25 A-League Men’s season – and the race for the top two is heating up.
After securing a second consecutive victory with a 1-0 win over Central Coast last weekend, Aurelio Vidmar’s side will be looking to keep that momentum rolling when Brisbane Roar comes to town.
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Here’s everything you need to know ahead of a big night under lights at AAMI Park.
Keeping the Pressure On
City is firmly in the hunt for a top-two finish and Friday’s clash represents another crucial step in that pursuit.
While last Saturday’s 1-0 win may not have featured a flurry of goals, it was a performance full of control and composure as City rarely looked troubled across the 90 minutes.
The match-winning moment came via a perfectly executed training ground routine. Andreas Kuen played a short corner to Marco Tilio, who hooked a teasing cross to the back post where Kai Trewin brought it down for Medin Memeti to tap home his third of the season and second in as many games.
Tilio and Trewin were standouts once again, continuing their strong form that earned them recent Socceroos call-ups.
The pair will be key again on Friday as City look to keep the pressure on Western United, who remain one point ahead in second place after also picking up three points last weekend.
Youngsters Continue to Fire in Front of Goal
City’s youth revolution has been a key storyline this season under Vidmar.
Each of the club’s last 13 goals have been scored by players aged 23 or under – a remarkable run that continued last week with 17-year-old Memeti’s strike.
Max Caputo (19), Ale Lopane (20), and Memeti have all found the net in recent weeks, while exciting talents like Lawrence Wong and Kavian Rahmani continue to impress whenever they step on the pitch.
With City currently leading the league in minutes played by players under 19, fans will be eager to see the next generation continue to shine on Friday night.
A Clean Sweep?
Brisbane arrives at AAMI Park off the back of a disappointing 5-1 home defeat to Macarthur. Despite Asumah Abubakar-Ankra opening the scoring, a hat-trick from former City winger Marin Jakolis saw the Bulls storm home.
With just 11 points this season, the Roar are out of the Finals race but will be playing for pride and looking to bounce back.
City, however, will be eyeing a clean sweep, having already claimed wins in both previous meetings this campaign.
A 4-1 triumph in December saw goals from Yonatan Cohen (2), Kuen and Steven Ugarkovic, while Ben Mazzeo’s bullet header secured a 1-0 win in the most recent fixture at AAMI Park.
Our record against Brisbane at home is exceptional – unbeaten since our first-ever clash at the venue, with 16 wins and three draws from the last 19 meetings.
Fixture Details
A-League Men: Round 26
Melbourne City FC v Brisbane Roar
AAMI Park
Friday 11 April, 7:35pm KO
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