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Michael Matricciani and Holly McNamara preview Saturday’s top-of-the-table Melbourne Derby

Melbourne City Head Coach, Michael Matricciani, and Holly McNamara have given their pre-match thoughts ahead of Saturday’s clash with Melbourne Victory.

City will look to extend their unbeaten start to the season when they host their first match at the ctrl:cyber Pitch in 2025.

Read Holly McNamara’s pre-match thoughts below…

RIVALRY READY

“Yeah I’m expecting the same [it to be a physical game], always derbies are games that we look forward to. We don’t like Melbourne Victory. They don’t like us. So it’s kind of like that.

“It’ll be a physical game, but hopefully we can come out on top.

“The Derby is always one of the biggest games so add top-of-the-table clash to that and it makes the stakes a little bit bigger, but we’re always up for it, especially this season, so we’re looking forward to it.”

THE ORIGINAL MELBOURNE DERBY

“It’s such a big game because, obviously you have Western United now in the league, but facing Melbourne Victory is kind of the original Melbourne Derby and it’s such a big game.

“We want to be the best team in Melbourne, we want to be the best team in Australia, and to do that we have to beat Melbourne Victory who are second and that’s what makes it so big.”

Read Michael Matricciani’s pre-match thoughts below…

AN IMPORTANT CLASH AWAITS

“Yeah [it’s our biggest game of the season to date], I think if you’d asked me like you did a few weeks ago, yes at that stage it was Brisbane – they were hot on our heels.

“I think Victory have had an amazing season as well, along with us, and I think it’s going to be a really good battle.”

AN IMPORTANT CLASH AWAITS

“I think so [that it will be a physical encounter]. I think these type of games, there’s always moments and elements of, physicality that you need to win your battles. I think that happens in most football matches, but I think the context of the game and, the derby and, the emotions that will come with the big pressure matches like this and you need to win your battles.

“I think it’s going to be like that. They’ve got quality, we’ve got quality. So hopefully it’s a good spectacle for everyone. And hopefully we can win that battle and score more goals than them.”

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