Melbourne City will be looking to move on quickly from a disappointing midweek result, shifting focus to Saturday night’s Melbourne Derby.
After controlling large parts of the contest, we eventually broke through for the opener via Tolgay Arslan in the 51st minute, but Central Coast equalised almost immediately before scoring again at the death to steal all three points.
Our next fixture provides the perfect opportunity to bounce back, returning to our usual surroundings of AAMI Park for the away Melbourne Derby.
With just four games remaining this season and our City boys still sitting four points out of the Finals positions, every point is vital from here on out, so expect the Derby to be as fiery as ever.
Our squad remains largely unchanged from the group that travelled to Gosford, with two added to the extended squad.
Leo Natel has been included after not travelling on Tuesday to be with his wife for the birth of his first child, while young midfielder Zane Schreiber has also been promoted.
Round 23 ALM Squad
1. Jamie YOUNG (GK), 4. Nuno REIS, 6. Steven UGARKOVIC, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 8. James JEGGO, 9. Jamie MACLAREN (C), 10. Tolgay ARSLAN, 11. Leo NATEL, 14. Vicente FERNÁNDEZ, 17. Terry ANTONIS, 21. Alessandro LOPANE, 22. Curtis GOOD, 23. Marco TILIO, 25. Callum TALBOT, 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN, 35. Zane SCHREIBER, 37. Max CAPUTO, 38. Harry POLITIDIS, 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN, 44. Marin JAKOLIS.
In: 11. Leo NATEL (returns from personal reasons), 35. Zane SCHREIBER (promoted).
Out: N/A.
Unavailable: 2. Scott GALLOWAY (knee), 15. Andrew NABBOUT (achilles), 34. Arion SULEMANI (ACL), 46. Ben MAZZEO (ankle).
