Melbourne City star attacker Max Caputo says the team’s packed schedule and continental experience have been key to both his personal development and City’s growing confidence heading into this weekend’s Melbourne Derby.
Fresh from another busy stretch of AFC Champions League Elite action, City return to domestic football with momentum and belief, and according to Caputo, a team ready to rise to the occasion.
“Yeah, everyone’s pulled up very well from the Korea trip. As you know, we’ve been traveling heaps the last couple of months,” Caputo reflected.
“But it’s good to be back and good to have a good training week going into the derby.”
City are unbeaten in their last four fixtures in all competitions, and Caputo believes his team’s strong run of form in Asia is helping the group hit their stride compared to this time last year.
“Yeah 100%. This start of the season compared to last year [has been much stronger]… everyone’s got momentum going into it,” he said.
“It’s a good group of people, because even if we lose a game like the Adelaide game, we go into the Asian Champions League and we go and win 2-0 at home.
“We know we’ve got a strong group of strong characters around the group. And we know that going into this game – or any game really – we’ve got a strong mindset and mentality that we’re going to get over the line.”
The 18-year-old has enjoyed a standout start to the 2025/26 campaign, scoring regularly across all competitions, including in City’s last meeting with Melbourne Victory.
“Yeah, we started on fire in that game and hoping to continue that in this game,” he said.
“We played a great game last time, but a lot can change in football. It’s been two months, maybe a month and a half now since we played Victory and won. They’re going to be fired up for this game, so it’s set to be a classic.”
Caputo says while the derby brings extra excitement, City’s focus remains firmly on themselves.
“We kind of look at ourselves at the end of the day and knowing that if we play our best football, we’ll give ourselves the best chance of winning this game.”
Reflecting on his own form this season, Caputo said the frequency of ACL Elite football combined with A-League football has accelerated his development, giving him a taste of the elite demands needed to succeed overseas.
“Yeah, definitely [playing so frequently has him sharper]. Also playing every three days… you see in Europe they play every three days,” he explained.
“So it’s definitely something very valuable for us young boys, especially getting that exposure to playing every three days, again, that real full fitness that maybe we can go on to Europe and be ready for that sort of environment.”
“Especially with the Asian Champions League, you’re playing against top defenders every two or three days… it definitely puts in a mindset, physical and mental, that you have to be prepared for every three days.
” It doesn’t matter, three days ago, you may be lost. And then going into the next game, you have to be mentally tough… you have to go into the next game with 100% mentality.”
Now a regular starter and vital member of Aurelio Vidmar’s squad, Caputo has spent years learning from City’s seasoned Socceroos, an experience he says has shaped the standards he holds himself to.
“Yeah, definitely. Seeing Aziz, Nate, Andy, Lecks when he’s back, they’re all professional boys, and you can see what it takes to be a Socceroo,” he said.
“Not just maybe getting one call-up, but Aziz having 60 or 70 call-ups.
“So it’s definitely something that I see every day… and I’ve been [seeing it] for the last three or four years now, training first team with these boys. Definitely is a very positive insight for not just me, but all the young players at Melbourne City.”
