Melbourne City is back in AFC Champions League Elite action on Tuesday night, set for a pivotal Matchday 4 clash against Japanese side Machida Zelvia.
Now unbeaten in four games across all competitions, City will be looking to continue our recent run of strong form and keep our continental campaign alive with a positive result abroad.
Eyes on the prize
After a slow start to the League Stage, City reignited our AFC Champions League Elite hopes last time out in the competition with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Buriram United. Goals from Elbasan Rashani and Max Caputo in the final stages completed a late comeback and ensured Aurelio Vidmar’s side took a crucial three points from the home clash.
That result breathed new life into City’s continental campaign and provided a timely confidence boost heading into the halfway point of the League Stage. With just four fixtures to follow after Tuesday night, every point from here is vital as City pushes to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time.
Ahead of Matchday 4, City sits just outside the qualification spots, but a positive result in Japan could change the picture entirely – keeping Vidmar’s men right in the mix as the race for the knockout stages heats up.
Youth ready to stand up
It’s been a consistent theme over the past 12 months, and once again City’s young brigade will be called upon to step up in a big fixture on Tuesday night.
Captain Aziz Behich has remained in Melbourne to undergo further assessment on a hamstring niggle, while Mathew Leckie was ruled out from travelling by the medical team following his half-time substitution in Friday night’s draw.
The experienced pair join Elbasan Rashani, Samuel Souprayen, Lawrence Wong, and Alessandro Lopane on the unavailable list for the trip to Japan.
That opens the door for another opportunity for City’s emerging talent to shine on the big stage.
Sixteen-year-old Besian Kutleshi became the Club’s youngest-ever A-League Men’s starter in Brisbane on Friday night and looks set to feature again, while 20-year-old centre-back Liam Bonetig has impressed with composure beyond his years in recent weeks since his professional debut.
Further up the pitch, Kavian Rahmani, Emin Durakovic, Beckham Baker, and Zane Schreiber have all continued to play important roles within Vidmar’s squad, while Max Caputo – still just 20 himself – will be out to continue his excellent start to the season after finding the net four times so far.
A tough away trip
Tuesday’s meeting with Machida marks the second stop on City’s extended away run, coming just days after the scoreless draw with Brisbane Roar.
It also represents the third time in the ACL Elite campaign that City has faced Japanese opposition, following earlier encounters with Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Vissel Kobe.
Machida is enjoying a strong domestic campaign, currently sitting sixth in the J1 League and preparing for an Emperor’s Cup Semi Final appearance. The Japanese side is also unbeaten so far in the AFC Champions League Elite League Stage, with two wins and a draw from its opening three fixtures.
Among the familiar faces for Australian fans will be Socceroos striker Mitch Duke, who continues to lead the line for Machida and will pose a threat for City’s backline.
While Vidmar’s squad faces a challenging task away from home, the team will head into the clash full of belief and with momentum on its side – eager to build on our recent resilience and push for another important result on the continental stage.
Fixture Details
AFC Champions League Elite: League Stage – Matchday 4
Machida Zelvia v Melbourne City FC
Machida Stadium
Tuesday 4 November, 9:00pm (AEDT)
Watch live via Paramount+
