Both Melbourne City squads will be in action at AAMI Park on Tuesday night, with a festive pre-Christmas doubleheader ahead in the midst of a busy period for the Club.
City’s Men will be looking to respond quickly after a tough late defeat in Saturday night’s Melbourne Derby, while our City Women return to action following an extended break, eager to bounce back at home.
With preparations now complete, both Aurelio Vidmar and Michael Matricciani have confirmed their squads ahead of the midweek clashes.
For City’s Women, it has been a longer-than-usual pause between matches after last week’s scheduled clash against Adelaide United was postponed due to a high number of influenza cases within the Reds’ squad. That break followed a difficult outing in Canberra, where City suffered our first league defeat of the season, and Matricciani’s side will now be determined to return to winning ways in front of home supporters.
There is mixed news on the injury front, with Laura Hughes remaining sidelined after undergoing knee surgery. Speaking to media on Monday, Matricciani confirmed the Welsh international is expected to miss between four and six weeks.
Caitlin Karic also remains unavailable with a knee injury, while Shelby McMahon is set for a brief stint on the sidelines after picking up a knock to the knee. There are two inclusions to the extended squad with Keira Sarris and Izabella Rako both promoted for Tuesday night’s fixture as City look to build momentum through the busy festive period.
Over on the Men’s side, City will also be eager to bounce back after conceding a stoppage-time goal in the Christmas Derby on Saturday. Despite creating better chances across the 90 minutes, Vidmar’s side were left empty-handed and will now turn their focus to making the most of a demanding run of fixtures at AAMI Park.
There are no confirmed outs from the weekend’s clash, providing some welcome continuity for Vidmar as his squad continues to manage a congested schedule following recent continental commitments.
Jayden Necovski and Harry Shillington have both been promoted to the extended squad, adding further depth ahead of the midweek clash.
Round 10 ALW Squad
2. Ellie WILSON, 3. Danielle TURNER, 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia MCKENNA, 7. Danella BUTRUS, 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 9. Holly MCNAMARA, 10. Izabella RAKO, 11. Deven JACKSON, 12. Shelby MCMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 15. Chinaza UCHENDU, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 17. Kaya JUGOVIC, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 19. Keira SARRIS, 21. Aideen KEANE, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 24. Malena MIERES (GK).
In: 10. Izabella RAKO, 19. Keira SARRIS (both promoted).
Out: 12. Shelby MCMAHON.
Unavailable: 12. Shelby MCMAHON (knee), 14. Laura HUGHES (knee), 20. Caitlin KARIC (knee), 22. Bryleeh HENRY (back).
Round 8 ALM Squad
1. Patrick BEACH (GK), 4. Liam BONETIG, 10. Takeshi KANAMORI, 11. Elbasan RASHANI, 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 17. Max CAPUTO, 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 27. Kai TREWIN, 30. Andreas KUEN, 33. Dakota OCHSENHAM (GK), 34. Jayden NECOVSKI, 35. Medin MEMETI, 36. Harry SHILLINGTON, 37. Peter ANTONIOU, 38. Beckham BAKER, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC, 44. Besian KUTLESHI.
In: 34. Jayden NECOVSKI, 36. Harry SHILLINGTON (both promoted).
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: 7. Mathew LECKIE (hip), 20. Ben MAZZEO (quad), 21. Alessandro LOPANE (ankle), 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN (achilles), 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (ACL), 41. Lawrence WONG (MCL), 47. Kavian RAHMANI (concussion).
