Melbourne City endured a disappointing Derby defeat on Saturday night, falling 3-1 to a Juan Mata-inspired Melbourne Victory side.
Backing up from midweek continental action, City never fully found our rhythm. Although Max Caputo’s first-half equaliser briefly restored parity after Victory struck early, our opposition proved more clinical after the break to claim the points.
Team News
Aurelio Vidmar made four changes to the XI that featured in Asian competition during the week, refreshing his side for the Derby clash.
Daniel Arzani was handed his first start since returning to the Club, while Marcus Younis and Nathaniel Atkinson returned after being rested midweek. Harrison Delbridge also came into the backline for his first league start since rejoining City, having featured in Korea in the AFC Champions League Elite.
Starting XI: 1. Patrick BEACH (GK), 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 2. Harrison DELBRIDGE, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 8. Ryan TEAGUE, 21. Alessandro LOPANE, 14. Daniel ARZANI, 28. Marcus YOUNIS, 35. Medin MEMETI, 17. Max CAPUTO.
Substitutes: 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (GK), 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN, 30. Andreas KUEN, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC, 44. Besian KUTLESHI, 47. Kavian RAHMANI.
What happened?
The contest began in cagey fashion, with both sides showing early signs of nerves as they looked to settle into the occasion.
Victory threatened first in controversial circumstances in the 18th minute. A strong shout for handball inside the area was waved away, and from the resulting phase Patrick Beach was forced into a spectacular point-blank save to keep City level.
The breakthrough came just three minutes later though. Juan Mata capitalised on a loose ball near the centre circle and, after what appeared to be a foul in the lead-up went unpunished following a VAR check, produced a stunning long-range finish to open the scoring.
City responded well despite Victory controlling much of the early tempo. Against the run of play, the equaliser arrived through a moment of quality down the left. Marcus Younis burst forward and delivered a dangerous cross into the area that arrived slightly behind Caputo. The striker adjusted brilliantly, contorting his body to guide a header beyond the goalkeeper and draw City level.
Buoyed by the goal, City almost turned the game on its head minutes later. Younis was again influential, sliding a superb ball across the face of goal, but Medin Memeti was unable to convert from close range. Shortly after, Younis tried his luck from distance, forcing another strong save as City finished the half on a more positive note.
Victory emerged after the restart with renewed intensity, applying sustained pressure in the opening stages of the second half. Vidmar looked to his bench just before the hour mark, introducing Kavian Rahmani and Emin Durakovic in search of fresh energy.
However, City were undone in the 64th minute by a costly turnover in defence. A misplaced pass allowed Mata to pounce, and the experienced Spaniard made no mistake in securing his second goal of the evening.
Further changes followed, with Andreas Kuen and Zane Schreiber entering the contest as City pushed for a response. The task became more complicated in the 78th minute when Rahmani, having only recently been introduced, was forced off after a heavy challenge. Samuel Souprayen replaced him as City reshuffled in an attempt to chase the game.
Despite committing numbers forward and enjoying periods of territory, City struggled to create a clear-cut opportunity to find a second equaliser. The decisive blow arrived just before stoppage time when Victory broke on the counter, and Santos finished clinically to put the result beyond doubt.
There would be no late twist, as City were left to reflect on a frustrating 3-1 defeat.
What’s next?
City will now regroup ahead of a trip across the Tasman next Saturday afternoon, where Auckland FC await.
