Still undefeated after four matches in the Ninja A-League and seven across all competitions, our City Women will play their first home match of the season at AAMI Park on Saturday.
Despite keeping that undefeated record it’s still been a frustrating fortnight with back-to-back draws coming after winning our first five matches of the campaign.
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Here are a few of the key talking points ahead of Saturday’s clash.
PACKING OUR SHOOTING BOOTS
A goal each inside the first 11 minutes had last week’s clash against Sydney FC shaping up to be a goal fest, but ultimately, it wasn’t to be, the remainder of the contest playing out goalless as the points were shared.
Lourdes Bosch continued her remarkable start to life in City colours with her second long-range goal in as many games, bringing her tally up to six in all competitions.
After 10 goals across our first three games (plus another 11 in three AWCL games), the chances dried up to an extent last time out.
Speaking pre-match, Michael Matricciani said it would be crucial for City to get back to creating a high volume of chances come Saturday at AAMI Park.
The likes of Bosch, Mariana Speckmaier and Rhianna Pollicina will all be licking their lips as they look to have another big impact against the Wanderers.
WHO STEPS INTO MIDFIELD?
After being named in a Matildas squad for the first time earlier this month, injury chaos for the national team this week saw City star Leah Davidson join camp earlier than expected.
While a big reward for her monumental efforts in a City shirt over the last few seasons, it does leave Matricciani with a big hole to fill in the middle of the park.
Thankfully though it’s an area of the squad with significant depth, a couple of readymade replacements waiting in the wings who are more than capable of slotting in.
Leticia McKenna seems the most like-for-like replacement, but Shelby McMahon could also come under consideration for a more attacking option in what would be the 16-year-olds first start of the season.
Regardless of which way the decision goes, one of the two could also play a crucial role in the second half as the first substitute called upon should we require a spark.
EYEING A CLEAN SHEET
While the goals have been free-flowing particularly in the first few weeks of the Ninja A-League season, a clean sheet has been elusive thus far.
The numbers don’t tell the whole story though, with the likes of Rebekah Stott, Alexia Apostolakis and Taylor Otto all rocks in defence for City last weekend, allowing us to blunt the Sydney attack other than Mackenzie Hawkesby’s early long-range strike.
Spanish shot-stopper Malena Mieres also had one of her best performances since joining the Club so should take plenty of confidence going into the weekend.
Although certainly not taking our opposition lightly, Matricciani will be demanding more of the same as we search for a first clean sheet of the season and a return to winning ways on Saturday.
MATCH DETAILS
Ninja A-League: Round 5
Melbourne City FC v Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday 30 November, 5:00pm KO
AAMI Park
