High on confidence after returning to winning ways last time out, City is back at AAMI Park this Saturday night for the final Melbourne Derby of the A-League Men’s season.
Lawrence Wong etched his name into the history books last weekend, becoming the Club’s youngest-ever Men’s goalscorer with his decisive first-half strike against Perth Glory.
While Head Coach Aurelio Vidmar may have hoped for a more clinical display after his team created a number of chances, Wong’s goal proved enough to secure a crucial 1-0 victory.
A sharper attacking performance will be needed if City is to claim all three points in the Derby for the first time since 2023.
Vidmar has now locked in his extended squad for Saturday’s highly anticipated clash, with one key out but several strong reinforcements coming in to bolster the lineup.
Unfortunately, Steven Ugarkovic will miss the next few weeks with a hamstring strain that saw him leave the pitch in the second half of last weekend’s win.
Central defensive duo Kai Trewin and Samuel Souprayen both return, with the former set to make his first appearance in almost a month.
Andreas Kuen, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury for an extended period, has also fully recovered and is available for selection.
Ben Mazzeo is another welcome addition after missing last weekend’s match due to illness, with his return rounding out four inclusions. As a result, Ben Dunbar drops out of the extended squad.
Round 20 ALM Squad
2. Callum TALBOT, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 17. Max CAPUTO, 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 23. Marco TILIO, 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN, 27. Kai TREWIN, 30. Andreas KUEN, 33. Patrick BEACH (GK), 36. Harry SHILLINGTON, 38. Harry POLITIDIS, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC, 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (GK), 41. Lawrence WONG, 46. Ben MAZZEO, 47. Kavian RAHMANI, 50. Mikey GHOSSAINI.
In: 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN, 27. Kai TREWIN, 30. Andreas KUEN (all return from injury), 46. Ben MAZZEO (returns from illness).
Out: 6. Steven UGARKOVIC (hamstring), 42. Ben DUNBAR (omitted).
Unavailable: 6. Steven UGARKOVIC (hamstring), 8. Jimmy JEGGO (achilles), 10. Yonatan COHEN (knee), 15. Andrew NABBOUT (knee), 21. Alessandro LOPANE (knee), 34. Jayden NECOVSKI (knee), 35. Medin MEMETI (international duty).
