Your City boys will be at AAMI Park for the second last time this season on Sunday, set to face Perth Glory in a fixture that will be crucial to our Finals hopes.
We’ll be looking to bounce back from a pair of disappointing defeats, both being decided with opposition goals in the final moments.
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Here are a few of the factors that will decide the result on Sunday.
Now or never
Our finals hopes took a hit last week with a pair of back-to-back defeats, but other results would ultimately go our way to keep our season alive.
We currently sit four points adrift of the Wanderers, although will face off against them next weekend in what could be the deciding fixture should results go our way this weekend.
Tolgay Arslan opened the scoring in both of our fixtures last week, bringing his season tally up to 16 goals (all competitions).
We’ll be hoping to once again get our noses in front on Sunday but will need to cut out the defensive lapses to ensure it stays that way.
City will also be aided by the return of Aurelio Vidmar to the sideline, our Head Coach back with the group after missing the last three games due to illness.
Who steps in at right back?
The departure of Callum Talbot on Olyroos duty means Vidmar will be forced into a big call ahead of Sunday, tasked with finding a replacement at right back.
Scott Galloway’s knee injury means the obvious option isn’t possible and with no other natural right back in the squad, Vidmar and his coaching will have to go with something left field.
Nuno Reis has been used in that position in the past, but after missing the matchday squad entirely last week due to a nasty knock copped late against the Mariners – his fitness will be a question mark.
Jordon Hall is another who usually plays centrally but has deputised on the right-hand side previously, so provides another option to step in.
Another potential option could be moving Steven Ugarkovic back as has happened a couple of times this season as a result of in-game changes, which could also pave the way for Terry Antonis to return in midfield.
Bouncing back at AAMI
While the results as a whole may have been disappointing throughout the season, our form at home has been mostly strong.
Until last week we hadn’t lost at AAMI Park since Round 1, last week’s Derby defeat marking the first time we haven’t been able to gain at least a point at our home venue since October.
While last week may have technically been an away fixture, your City boys will be full of motivation to get back to winning ways at AAMI.
Sunday is set to be a perfect afternoon for football, so we’ll be hoping to see a strong crowd there to cheer on our City boys for one of the last times at home this season.
Fixture Details
A-League Men: Round 24
Melbourne City FC v Perth Glory
Sunday 14 April, 3:00pm KO
AAMI Park
