It’s been a long wait, but we’re finally set to welcome our City boys back this Saturday at AAMI Park.
A clash against the Newcastle Jets awaits as we enter the business end of the season and look to secure a place in Finals for a 10th consecutive year.
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Here are a few of the major talking points ahead of the clash!
What happens to the momentum?
We’ve had a massive 18 days since we last took to the pitch, owing to a re-scheduled clash against the Mariners and then an international break.
While it may feel like a lifetime ago now, our City boys were in some handy form prior to that…
Our most recent clash was an equal-record Club victory to the tune of 7-0 over Western Sydney Wanderers, while we had also won our previous match against Wellington.
The goals came from everywhere against the Wanderers; Tolgay Arslan grabbing a brace before Leo Natel and Max Caputo joined him on the scoresheet before the break.
The second half saw each of the three goals have a nice little subplot behind them too.
Nuno Reis scored his first City goal after 89 appearances, Jamie Maclaren broke his longest goal drought in years, all before Terry Antonis scored one of the greatest goals the A-Leagues have ever seen against his former team.
On one hand, the long break couldn’t have come at a worse time but also, it could’ve provided just the opportunity we needed to rest some sore bodies ahead of the final six games of the season.
One thing is for sure – we’ll all be hoping to see our City boys pick up right where they left off when we return to the pitch on Saturday!
Big decisions for the coaching staff
A pair of City stars were absent from that most recent matchday squad, Mathew Leckie and Curtis Good both missing due to illness.
The lengthy break has been beneficial to the key duo, giving them plenty of time to recover and get back to 100% ahead of Saturday’s clash against the Jets.
While they will be available for selection and have been a key part of our XI in recent years, it would be a big call from the coaching staff to make any changes to a team that was so dominant last time out.
The large break between games would’ve provided plenty of time to weigh up and test different options on the training park, so it’s anyone’s guess how the XI shapes up when it drops an hour before kickoff.
Another big talking point from the lineup will be who starts up top after 18-year-old Max Caputo scored and assisted last time out, before skipper Jamie Maclaren came off the bench and provided plenty of energy and a goal of his own.
Starting a big week on the right foot
After two and a half weeks of no games, we’re now staring down the barrel of three in one week.
Following Saturday, we’re off to Gosford to face Central Coast, before returning to AAMI Park for an away Melbourne Derby – the third and final of the season.
It shapes as a do-or-die week in the context of our season with just three games left following that before Finals.
There’s little between us and our upcoming opponents; we’ve drawn at home and lost away to the Mariners, while both prior Melbourne Derbies have been scoreless, so starting the run with three points is crucial this Saturday.
Fixture Details
A-League Men: Round 22
Melbourne City FC v Newcastle Jets
Saturday 30 March, 5:30pm KO
AAMI Park
