Melbourne City suffered a deeply disappointing night on the road on Saturday evening, falling to defeat against Macarthur FC in a performance that unravelled quickly and proved costly.
Despite goals to Medin Memeti as well as Marcus Younis on debut, City were unable to recover from a difficult opening period and were ultimately outplayed as the hosts capitalised ruthlessly on mistakes.
Team News
Aurelio Vidmar was forced into multiple changes to his starting XI, with Ben Mazzeo and Zane Schreiber both returning to the lineup, while Alessandro Lopane was handed his first start of the season.
There was mixed news on the availability front, with new arrival Daniel Arzani remaining in Melbourne as he continues to build match fitness, while Harrison Delbridge is set to link up with the squad in training next week. Andrew Nabbout will also spend time on the sidelines after sustaining a calf injury.
City were without several players due to short-term issues, with Andreas Kuen and Kai Trewin missing through knee complaints, while Emin Durakovic was unavailable under concussion protocols.
There was some positive news among the substitutes, with Marcus Younis named on the bench alongside Takeshi Kanamori and Samuel Souprayen, both returning after recent injury absences.
Starting XI: 1. Patrick BEACH (GK), 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 4. Liam BONETIG, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 8. Ryan TEAGUE, 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 21. Alessandro LOPANE, 20. Ben MAZZEO, 35. Medin MEMETI, 17. Max CAPUTO.
Substitutes: 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (GK), 10. Takeshi KANAMORI, 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN, 28. Marcus YOUNIS, 36. Harry SHILLINGTON, 41. Lawrence WONG, 44. Besian KUTLESHI.
What happened?
City nearly made the perfect start, creating an early chance inside the opening minute as Mazzeo found space in the box, though his effort skewed wide.
However, Macarthur struck first in the sixth minute through Mitch Duke, with Patrick Beach initially doing well to repel the danger before the striker turned home from close range. The hosts doubled their advantage moments later after City were caught in possession in midfield, allowing Macarthur to capitalise once again.
Against the run of play, City found a lifeline midway through the first half. Nathaniel Atkinson delivered a dangerous cross from the right and Medin Memeti rose highest to head home, pulling one back and briefly shifting the momentum.
That hope was short-lived, with the hosts restoring their two-goal buffer soon after through Anthony Caceres. City went close to reducing the deficit again just before the break when Atkinson bundled home from a corner, but the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR check.
Two changes were made at half-time, but City was unable to wrestle back control, with Macarthur continuing to find space and punish mistakes. Further goals in quick succession put the result beyond doubt.
There was a moment to savour late on, with Marcus Younis marking his City debut in style, latching onto a smart pass from Memeti and finishing calmly.
Unfortunately, Macarthur had the final say, adding another goal late to cap off a frustrating night.
What’s next?
We’re again on the road next weekend, travelling to Wellington to take on the Phoenix on Friday evening. The match will kick off at 5:00pm (AEDT) and can be watched live via Paramount+.
