Melbourne City returns to AFC Champions League Elite action on Tuesday night, set for a massive clash against Thai champions Buriram United at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
Aurelio Vidmar’s side comes into the match eager to turn promising performances into points, with a pair of vital fixtures ahead over the next week across both continental and domestic fronts.
Building momentum
It’s a quick turnaround for City, who return to the pitch just three days after opening our A-League Men’s campaign away to Western Sydney Wanderers.
While Vidmar’s side wasn’t quite able to take home all three points from a tough away trip, there were plenty of encouraging signs in what was a strong Round 1 performance.
After conceding early, Max Caputo provided an instant response with a composed finish over Lawrence Thomas following a superb long ball from Andreas Kuen. From there, City grew into the game and controlled much of the second half.
With a busy schedule ahead, Tuesday night’s fixture provides the perfect opportunity to build momentum and continue fine-tuning combinations across a squad that’s blended new arrivals with Academy graduates pushing for senior minutes.
City will be looking to make home advantage count and continue that positive trajectory before hosting Perth Glory in Saturday’s ALM home opener.
Keeping touching distance
City’s opening two fixtures in the competition have been challenging ones, both coming against quality J1 League opposition deep into their domestic seasons.
After a tough home clash with Sanfrecce Hiroshima, City were unlucky to leave Japan empty-handed in our most recent ACL Elite outing against Vissel Kobe. An unfortunate deflection deep into stoppage time saw the hosts snatch all three points in heartbreaking fashion after City had produced a disciplined and composed defensive display for much of the night.

That result has only sharpened City’s focus heading into Tuesday’s fixture, with the team determined to turn performances into results and keep within striking distance in the East region standings.
Buriram United arrives in Melbourne off the back of some strong domestic results, currently sitting top of the Thai League table and unbeaten after seven games.
Their continental form has been mixed, following up a 2-1 victory over Johor Darul Ta’zim with a 3-0 defeat to FC Seoul last time out – meaning both sides will view this encounter as a crucial opportunity to gain ground in League Stage competition.
A Club legend returns home
There’ll be a familiar face in the opposition line-up, with former City defender Curtis Good set to make his first appearance back in Melbourne since departing in 2024.
The fan favourite made 180 appearances across two stints with the Club, playing a central role in a golden era that included three consecutive Premiers Plates and the Club’s first ALM Championship.

Australian football fans will also spot another familiar presence in the Buriram technical area, with former Central Coast Mariners boss Mark Jackson in charge of the Thai side for the first time following his shock move last week.
While these factors will undoubtedly be interesting talking points in the build-up externally, Vidmar’s men will be fully focused on delivering a complete 90-minute performance and using the home crowd to our advantage as we chase our first ACL Elite points of the campaign.
Fixture Details
AFC Champions League Elite: League Stage – Matchday 3
Melbourne City FC v Buriram United
Tuesday 21 October
6:45pm KO
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
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