After a week off due to the international break, a top-of-the-table clash awaits our City Women.
We’ll be at the unfamiliar home venue of Genis Steel Stadium in Reservoir to face Perth Glory.
All City Members and kids go free to this fixture! Non-members will be able to purchase tickets at the gate.
Here’s what to look out for on Saturday!
Could international duty force some changes to the XI?
It’s been a busy international break across our squad, with a number of players off to all parts of the world to represent their national teams and arriving home as late as Friday.
Captain Rebekah Stott has been in Colombia for a pair of fixtures with the New Zealand national team where she played the full 90 in a scoreless draw, before missing the second match due to illness.
Emina Ekic featured in a pair of UEFA Nations League fixtures for Bosnia & Herzegovina against Slovenia and Belarus, starting both matches and being credited with an assist in the first of the two games.
Lysianne Proulx was in camp with Canada as they twice defeated the Matildas, while Daniela Galic and Naomi Chinnama were in China with the Young Matildas.
With the aforementioned players accounting for almost half of our last starting XI, Dario Vidosic may need to make some changes to ensure he rolls out a fully fit line-up on Saturday.
Building an early buffer
In previous seasons we’d be approaching the halfway point of the competition but now with thankfully a full home and away season, we are still in the early stages.
It’s never too early to start building a lead at the top of the table though, which is exactly what we are looking to do this Saturday.
We currently sit three points clear on top ahead of the second-placed Glory, so have the perfect opportunity to extend that lead out to six points.
Six rounds into the season we’re the only team that remains undefeated but were joined by Perth before the last round, who suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Wellington.
Some reinforcements back from injury?
While Bryleeh Henry remains sidelined, both Caitlin Karic and Karly Roestbakken have been included in Vidosic’s squad and have a chance to make their returns.
Karic has been out of action for the past month due to a knee issue, and the talented attacker will be looking to push for more minutes following her return after the injury to Holly McNamara.
We’re yet to see Karly Roestbakken this season due to a foot injury but now with some extra training sessions under her belt throughout the international break, the versatile defender is set to return.
With both Stott and Chinnama having spent time away on national team duty it could mean Roestbakken steps straight into the starting line-up. Still, the two-time Matilda will be eager to make an impact regardless of whether it’s from the first whistle or as a substitute.
Match Details
A-League Women: Round 7
Melbourne City FC v Perth Glory
Saturday 8 December, 4:00pm
Genis Steel Stadium, Reservoir
