A tick over 200 days since the 2024 A-League Women’s Grand Final, we’re finally set for a re-match with Sydney FC.
The A-Leagues take over Sydney this weekend for the second edition of Unite Round which will see all games played in the Harbour city.
Here’s what to keep an eye out for in Sunday’s huge clash!
A QUICK RETURN TO WINNING WAYS?
It’s been a near-perfect start to life under new Head Coach Michael Matricciani, the only blemish on his professional coaching record being last weekend’s 2-2 draw with the Mariners.
A near-perfect start saw City shoot out to an early lead thanks to a wonder strike from Alexia Apostolakis, only for it to be cancelled out by an equaliser moments later.
Lourdes Bosch’s fifth City goal had us back ahead going into half-time but the only goal of the second 45 would go the way of the visitors, meaning we were forced to settle for our first draw of the 2024/25 campaign.
Dropped points were always going to come at some point, but Matricciani will be hoping to see a quick return to the winner’s list to ensure the early season momentum doesn’t fade away.
The attacking threats are everywhere across the lineup and with a little more composure in both the attacking and defensive third, City will be confident in taking all three points come Sunday afternoon.
A HUNGRY OPPONENT
In recent years Sydney FC has enjoyed a period of sustained success, although Ante Juric’s team haven’t begun this season the way they would’ve liked.
Consecutive away trips saw back-to-back losses in the first two rounds, before a return home last week saw them claim their first three points of 2024/25 courtesy of a late Caley Tallon-Henniker winner.
The last few years have seen plenty of great matchups in this fixture – the tale of the tape since February 2022 reading three wins to Sydney, two to City, plus a further two draws.
There’s no doubt that Juric’s side will be looking to ensure their slow start to the season is a thing of the past, so City will have to be at the top of our game to ensure we can get one back over last year’s Grand Final opposition.
BACK ON THE ROAD
An away Derby in between two home matches to begin the season means that this weekend will be our first domestic fixture of the new campaign played outside of Melbourne.
By no means will it be our first ‘away’ game though, our City Women of course travelling to Thailand ahead of the Ninja A-League season to take part in the AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage.
As you’ll remember, it was a successful trip to mark our first three games of the Matricciani era – winning all three and conceding just one goal.
We saw the likes of Mariana Speckmaier and Lourdes Bosch announce themselves in City colours over that period and we’ll be hoping for more of the same when we get back on the road this weekend.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Ninja A-League: Round 4
Sydney FC v Melbourne City FC
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Sunday 24 November, 4:15pm KO
Live on 10play and Paramount+
