Melbourne City has confirmed our squad ahead of a pivotal Isuzu UTE A-League clash on the road this Saturday, with a trip across the ditch to take on Auckland FC at GO Media Stadium.
We’ll be looking to bounce back following a disappointing result in last weekend’s Melbourne Derby, and with Finals positions tightening as the season approaches its business end, Saturday’s contest presents a huge opportunity to regain momentum away from home.
It marks our second visit to New Zealand in the space of four weeks, having drawn 2-2 with Wellington Phoenix in our most recent trip. That night saw a spirited late comeback, with Marcus Younis and Medin Memeti both finding the net to rescue a point after we had been chasing the game for much of the evening.
This weekend will also be our second meeting with Auckland in a short period, after the two sides locked horns at AAMI Park in mid-January. On that occasion, we again showed strong character to fight from behind, with Max Caputo converting from the penalty spot before Memeti’s late strike secured all three points in dramatic fashion.
Aurelio Vidmar has now finalised his squad as we set our sights firmly on what shapes as a high-stakes battle at GO Media Stadium. There is positive news on the selection front, with reinforcements continuing to arrive through the inclusion of Elbasan Rashani.
Rashani is set for his long-awaited return from a persistent hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since Christmas. The Kosovan international has worked tirelessly through his rehabilitation and is now fit and ready to make his impact in City colours once again, adding further quality and experience to our attacking options.
Joining him in the extended squad are Harry Shillington and Liam Bonetig, providing additional depth as we manage the demands of a busy stretch across both competitions.
With valuable points on the line and the season entering a decisive phase, we’ll be determined to produce a response in Auckland and return home with a result.
Round 19 ALM Squad
1. Patrick BEACH (GK), 2. Harrison DELBRIDGE, 4. Liam BONETIG, 8. Ryan TEAGUE, 11. Elbasan RASHANI, 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 14. Daniel ARZANI, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 17. Max CAPUTO, 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 21. Alessandro LOPANE, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN, 28. Marcus YOUNIS, 30. Andreas KUEN, 35. Medin MEMETI, 36. Harry SHILLINGTON, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC, 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (GK), 47. Kavian RAHMANI.
In: 4. Liam BONETIG (promoted), 11. Elbasan RASHANI (returns from injury), 36. Harry SHILLINGTON (promoted).
Out: 44. Besian KUTLESHI (omitted).
Unavailable: 7. Mathew LECKIE (hip), 10. Takeshi KANAMORI (knee), 15. Andrew NABBOUT (calf).
