Melbourne City will be looking to build on a step in the right direction last time out in the A-League Women’s when we return to City Football Academy to host Adelaide United.
One fixture remains before the final international break of the season as our City Women look to head into the last stretch of the campaign off the back of a positive result.
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Here are a few of the key factors that will determine this one.
Moving in the right direction
After a great start to the season, the beginning of 2024 saw a tricky run of form for Dario Vidosic’s side.
Injuries and some key absences didn’t help as we lost three out of four games, a 2-1 win against Wellington Phoenix in that period ensuring it wasn’t a disastrous run.
Last week’s clash against a high-flying Sydney FC then shaped up as a critical one in the context of the season.
Despite a pair of star players departing the Club (Torpey and Proulx for record transfer fees) and the absence of Rebekah Stott and Hannah Wilkinson due to international duty, it was a valiant performance from City.
While the goalscoring chances may’ve been few and far between, we were defensively sound and kept an important clean sheet as the points were shared.
44-year-old goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri was key to this, her 56th-minute denial of Princess Ibini from the penalty spot the highlight of eight on the night.
Staying strong at home
Our form at home has been strong this season and Vidosic will hope to see more of the same this Sunday.
Of our four losses this season just one has come at one of our traditional home venues (AAMI Park & City Football Academy), proving just how strong we’ve been in familiar surroundings.
Sunday will mark our third match at CFA, following a 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix and last week’s 0-0 draw against Sydney FC.
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By contrast, Adelaide has one just one match on the road so far this season – although they will come into Sunday with plenty of confidence after recording back-to-back home wins over Perth and Western Sydney
Being clinical in front of goal
The goals were flying in thick and fast for us earlier this season, but a number of key absences in recent weeks have also seen the goals dry up.
Just two goals have come in our last three games but speaking pre-match, but after a big week on the training pitch, Vidosic will be confident his side is ready to return to form.
A more open game can likely be expected this week against an Adelaide outfit that has conceded the second-most goals of any team across the competition.
While there be a minimum of five changes to the line-up, City will still take confidence from our 5-0 win over Adelaide last time out.
Daniela Galic was the star of the show netting a hattrick plus another assist inside just 40 minutes, before Hannah Wilkinson joined the party with a second half goal.
Fixture Details
A-League Women: Round 16
Melbourne City FC v Adelaide United
Sunday 18 February, 5:00pm
