TEAM NEWS: Squad confirmed for Halloween Home Opener!

The countdown is almost over, with our City boys set to return to AAMI Park on Saturday night for our first home fixture of the 2026/27 A-League Men’s season!

After playing at the venue as the away side in last weekend’s Melbourne Derby, Aurelio Vidmar’s squad will be back on familiar turf as the home team when Sydney FC comes to town for our Halloween Home Opener.

With plenty of Halloween festivities planned around AAMI Park, it’s shaping up to be a huge Saturday night as we look to secure our first three points of the season. Don’t have your tickets yet? Secure yours now!

And after showing plenty of fight to come from behind and earn a point against Victory, City will be eager to build on that improved second-half performance and secure our first win of the new campaign.

There were plenty of positives to take from the Derby, particularly the impact of our newest international arrivals.

Danish playmaker Emiliano Marcondes provided an immediate spark after entering the contest at half-time, playing a key role in Andrew Nabbout’s equaliser with a perfectly weighted cutback.

Costa Rican defender Julio Cascante also impressed after coming off the bench for his competitive City debut, providing an assured presence at the back in the closing stages.

With both players now having their first taste of A-League Men action, City fans will be hoping to see even more from the duo on Saturday night.

Vidmar has named a largely consistent extended squad for Saturday’s clash, with plenty of familiar faces available as City looks to claim all three points.

Young talents Peter Antoniou and Lawrence Wong have both been named in the extended group, providing additional options ahead of the Halloween fixture.

With no confirmed omissions at this stage, Vidmar and his staff will have plenty of options to consider as City prepares for our first home fixture of the season.

ALM Matchweek 3 Squad v Sydney FC

1. Macklin FREKE (GK), 2. Harrison DELBRIDGE, 4. Liam BONETIG, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 10. Emiliano MARCONDES, 11. Awer MABIL, 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 14. Besian KUTLESHI, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 18. Julio CASCANTE, 19. Quinn MACNICOL, 22. Peter ANTONIOU, 23. Medin MEMETI, 24. Kavian RAHMANI, 38. Beckham BAKER, 39. Roland BALLAH, 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (GK), 41. Lawrence WONG, 77. Takeshi KANAMORI.

In: 22. Peter ANTONIOU, 41. Lawrence WONG (both promoted).

Out: Nil.

Unavailable: 5. Matheus ROSSETTO (calf), 9. Max CAPUTO (hamstring), 20. Ben MAZZEO (ankle), 21. Alessandro LOPANE (hamstring), 26. Ryan KALMS (knee).