It’s been a while between drinks, but your City boys will finally return to the pitch in Sydney on Saturday afternoon.
Seventeen days after our last outing, we head to Allianz Stadium to face Sydney FC for the first time this season in what shapes up as a crucial clash.
Here’s what you need to know as we prepare to fight for three crucial points:
FRESHENED UP
Following a bye and an international break, City has had plenty of time to reset and prepare for Saturday’s fixture.
The extended break provided an opportunity to reflect on our last result—a frustrating 1-0 defeat to Newcastle, despite dominating the key statistics.
With six games remaining in the season, our focus is now firmly on securing maximum points and finishing strong.
The time off has also allowed both Yonatan Cohen (calf) and Germán Ferreyra (concussion) to fully recover from minor injuries that kept them sidelined in our last match before the break, with both back in the squad for this fixture.
Aziz Behich, Kai Trewin, and Marco Tilio have all returned from Socceroos duty this week, and Head Coach Aurelio Vidmar has confirmed they are all fit and in contention for a starting spot.
A DIFFERENT LOOK IN MIDFIELD
Vidmar will be forced into at least two changes from his last starting XI, with Mathew Leckie (calf) and Steven Ugarkovic (suspension) both not making the trip. The duos’ absence leaves a couple of crucial gaps in midfield that will need to be filled.
Zane Schreiber and Kai Trewin have both played in the defensive midfield role at times this season, making them likely candidates to step in for Ugarkovic.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Ale Lopane has been named in the squad for the first time this season after overcoming a serious knee injury and impressing in the VPL1 in recent weeks.
Lopane could be in line for his first appearance of the season, while Lawrence Wong and Nathaniel Atkinson have also been deployed in midfield throughout the campaign.
With several options available, Vidmar will have a pivotal decision to make on how best to structure his side.
A POINT TO PROVE
With every point crucial in the race to Finals, City will be eager to put in a strong performance in our first encounter against Sydney FC this season.
A top-two finish remains well within reach, and a win on Saturday could see us move up to third place, just one point behind Western United in second.
Before the loss to Newcastle, City had been building momentum with a four-game unbeaten run (3W, 1D), and Vidmar’s side will be determined to show that result was just a minor setback.
Historically, our recent away trips have ended in tight contests, with two 1-1 draws and a 2-1 defeat since our last interstate over Sydney FC in 2022.
With so much on the line, expect City to come out firing as we push for a crucial three points on Saturday afternoon.
FIXTURE DETAILS
A-League Men: Round 24
Sydney FC v Melbourne City FC
Allianz Stadium
Saturday 29 May, 5:00pm KO
Live on 10Bold and Paramount+
