Melbourne City returns to Isuzu UTE A-League action on Friday night, refreshed and refocused after a well-earned week off over the international break.
Aurelio Vidmar’s side will travel to a venue that has traditionally been one of the league’s toughest away trips, with Coopers Stadium again shaping as a significant early-season test.
Despite the challenge ahead, City heads into the fixture buoyed by momentum – and will be aiming to continue on that same note following the break.
Picking up where we left off
City’s form heading into the international window was impressive, riding a six-match unbeaten streak across all competitions and taking solid steps forward despite a heavy injury list.
In the league, Vidmar’s side had collected two wins and two draws from the opening four rounds, capped off in perfect fashion with a memorable Melbourne Derby triumph.
That night at AAMI Park showcased the very best of City’s emerging squad. A youthful starting XI – fresh off a draining trip back from Japan – delivered an inspired 2-0 win over Victory, with Max Caputo continuing his blistering start to the season before 18-year-old Peter Antoniou sealed the result with his first professional goal.
With players now freshened up after an impressive start to the season, Vidmar will hope his group can immediately re-establish that rhythm – especially with another busy stretch on the horizon, including the return of AFC Champions League Elite football next Tuesday night.
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Lineup questions
The break has brought some welcome positive news on the squad availability front, but it has also presented Vidmar with a number of selection puzzles.
Nathaniel Atkinson will miss Friday’s clash after the hamstring injury that forced him off early in the Derby, though the return of captain Aziz Behich – now cleared after a minor hamstring issue – provides an experienced, like-for-like replacement at full-back.
There’s further reinforcement in attack, with Medin Memeti named in the squad for the first time this season following a long layoff. Andrew Nabbout, meanwhile, is edging ever closer to his first start in over a year after making three consecutive substitute appearances since returning from an ACL injury.
The biggest uncertainties though, relate to Socceroos duo Kai Trewin and Patrick Beach, both scheduled to meet the squad directly in Adelaide on matchday.
Trewin would appear unlikely to start after playing every minute of Australia’s fixtures against Venezuela and Colombia, while Beach – Man of the Match on debut against Venezuela – didn’t appear in the second game, but has still also just made the long return flight from the United States.
Should Beach not be cleared to start, it opens the door for 26-year-old goalkeeper Dakota Ochsenham to make his professional debut.
Ending the hoodoo
City fans will be well aware of the task that awaits at Coopers Stadium – a venue that has consistently proven difficult over the past seven years. Friday night marks more than 2,500 days since our last league win away to Adelaide, a 2-0 victory back in December 2018.
In the 10 away meetings since, City has collected only four points, making this a long-standing hurdle that the squad and fans alike are desperate to overcome. For Vidmar, it will also be a second return to the Club he once led from the dugout, adding an extra layer of narrative to an already intriguing clash.
Adelaide enters this fixture in mixed form with two wins and two losses from their opening four rounds, though both victories have come at home – a reminder of the challenge City will need to rise to on Friday night.
Fixture Details
Isuzu UTE A-League: Round 5
Adelaide United v Melbourne City FC
Friday 21 November, 7:35pm (AEDT)
Coopers Stadium
Live on Paramount+
