Melbourne City played out its first Men’s pre-season friendly ahead of season 2024/25 on Saturday, taking on Western United behind closed doors in Tarneit.
The hosts scored either side of halftime in tough conditions as a youthful City lineup had some strong moments but weren’t able to hit the back of the net.
Team News
There was plenty of up-and-coming City talent on show with Aurelio Vidmar having several regular starters sidelined.
Skipper Aziz Behich was rested following a late return from Socceroos duty, while Marco Tilio, Mathew Leckie and Andrew Nabbout were managed – but are anticipated to be involved in our next friendly in a week’s time.
Young guns Ale Lopane (knee) and Max Caputo (ankle) both missed through injury with a further update to be provided closer to Round 1.
An extended bench featured plenty of Academy talent with the City Player Development Pathway on full show.
Starting XI: 33. Patrick BEACH (GK), 2. Callum TALBOT, 27. Kai Trewin, 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN, 37. Peter ANTONIOU, 8. Jimmy JEGGO, 6. Steven UGARKOVIC, 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 35. Medin MEMETI, 38. Harry POLITIDIS, 20. Arion SULEMANI.
Substitutes: 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (GK), 22. Germán FERREYRA, 30. Andreas KUEN, 34. Jayden NECOVSKI, 36. Harry SHILLINGTON, 41. Lawrence WONG, 46. Ben MAZZEO, Marcus HUMBERT, Xavier STELLA, Ben DUNBAR, Kavian RAHMANI, Mikey GHOSSAINI.
What happened?
Facing some extremely tough conditions with persistent wind and rain that was almost sideways at times, City started the contest strongly.
Jimmy Jeggo took the armband in the absence of Behich and Leckie and began the game well, forming a strong partnership with Zane Schreiber in the middle of the park.
This allowed City to control the tempo of the first half, rarely losing possession and cycling the ball around well amidst the conditions.
Western would win the first corner of the day, but it was comfortably cleared away by Kai Trewin.
Arion Sulemani had City’s first shot on goal in the 7th minute after some nice linkup play down the left-hand side, but the 19-year-old could only force a save from Tom Heward-Belle.
A poor defensive giveaway from City almost opened the door for Western to score the opener, but a backpedalling Patrick Beach pulled off a great reflex stop to keep it 0-0.
He again came up big 10 minutes later, this time around denying a powerful Matthew Grimaldi attempt with an acrobatic save.
Trewin was impressive for City in the heart of defence, looking cool, calm and composed time and time again in driving the ball forward.
It would be Western who would open scoring though, a quick counterattack catching the City defence out with Beach able to do little to stop a good Hiroshi Ibusuki header just before the half-hour mark.
Vidmar made one change at the break, introducing Germán Ferreyra to partner Trewin in defence.
City again began the half well and some nice interplay between Sulemani and Steven Ugarkovic saw our number 6 get through on goal, but his shot was blazed over the bar.
The pressure continued to pile on as we approached the hour mark, multiple corners in a row putting the green and black defence under the pump.
The conditions would make it tough to fashion a clearcut chance though, although Western was able to go up the other end and double their advantage through Oli Lavale in the 71st minute.
Immediately after that, City’s bench was cleared, Vidmar making five substitutions after bringing on four 10 minutes earlier.
While unable to get on the scoresheet, the younger brigade still showed plenty of good signs in their respective cameos.
Ben Dunbar was strong in midfield six weeks after making his professional debut in the Australia Cup, while Lawrence Wong had plenty of time on the ball a little higher up the pitch.
Kavian Rahmani forced a good save out of Heward-Belle in the 84th minute, while Mikey Ghossaini and Jayden Necovski both had some strong moments.
What’s next?
Preparations for Round 1 will continue next weekend with another behind-closed-doors friendly against ALM opposition. Stay tuned to our social channels for more in the coming days.
