Melbourne City returns to AAMI Park on Tuesday night as our extended run of home fixtures continues, with Brisbane Roar the next opponent to arrive in Melbourne.
It will be another quick turnaround for Aurelio Vidmar’s side, who are no strangers to short preparation windows this season, taking to the pitch just three days after Saturday night’s draw with Sydney FC. While City were ultimately unable to find the breakthrough and claim all three points, the performance marked a noticeable improvement following a frustrating run of results, particularly with the sustained pressure applied throughout the second half.
Despite that lift, City’s winless streak has now stretched to five matches, and there will be a strong desire within the group to see that run come to an end under the AAMI Park lights.
Attention now turns fully to Brisbane Roar, who arrive in Melbourne eager to respond after a disappointing weekend result, having gone down 3–0 at home to a 10-man Wellington Phoenix.
Vidmar has now confirmed his extended squad for Tuesday night, with mixed news on the injury front following Saturday’s clash.
Takeshi Kanamori (groin) and Kavian Rahmani (knee) will both miss the fixture after sustaining injuries late in the draw with Sydney FC. The attacking duo are scheduled to undergo scans on Monday afternoon, with further clarity on the extent of their respective injuries expected in the coming days.
There is more positive news elsewhere for City, with a welcome double boost in the form of Alessandro Lopane and Lawrence Wong. Both youngsters have been named in the extended squad and are in line to feature for the first time this season after lengthy injury layoffs, with Lopane recovering from an ankle issue and Wong overcoming a knee injury.
Ben Mazzeo has also been added to the squad after shaking off a quad niggle that sidelined him in recent weeks, while young defender Harry Shillington earns promotion to the extended group as City looks to manage another busy period of fixtures.
With points at a premium and momentum up for grabs, City will be hoping the return of key personnel and the familiarity of home conditions can help deliver a much-needed win on Tuesday night.
ALM Round 20 Squad
1. Patrick BEACH (GK), 4. Liam BONETIG, 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 17. Max CAPUTO, 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 20. Ben MAZZEO, 21. Alessandro LOPANE, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN, 27. Kai TREWIN, 30. Andreas KUEN, 35. Medin MEMETI, 36. Harry SHILLINGTON, 38. Beckham BAKER, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC, 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN, 41. Lawrence WONG, 44. Besian KUTLESHI.
In: 20. Ben MAZZEO, 21. Alessandro LOPANE, 41. Lawrence WONG (all return from injury), 36. Harry SHILLINGTON (promoted).
Out: 10. Takeshi KANAMORI (groin), 47. Kavian RAHMANI (knee).
Unavailable: 7. Mathew LECKIE (hip), 10. Takeshi KANAMORI (groin), 11. Elbasan RASHANI (hamstring), 33. Dakota OCHSENHAM (knee), 47. Kavian RAHMANI (knee).
