Melbourne City Head Coach Aurelio Vidmar is eager to get the 2026/27 A-League Men’s season underway, with his side preparing for a challenging opening stretch of fixtures.
After a lengthy pre-season, City will begin its campaign away to Auckland FC, with Vidmar confident in the work his squad has put in ahead of Matchweek 1.
“Yes, we are excited, it’s been a long time,” he reflected during City’s season preview. “I think we’re in week 15 of a very, very long pre-season, and probably the longest pre-season in the history of world football, but, we know what it is, and, yeah it’s only around the corner now.”
With the new season fast approaching, Vidmar has made no secret of City’s ambitions.
After a challenging domestic campaign last season, which ran alongside an impressive AFC Champions League Elite journey, the Head Coach is determined to see his side competing towards the top of the table.
“Well, the expectations are always high at a club like Melbourne City. So you know, we always striving to finish in the top two positions if we can.”
City’s opening fixtures will provide an immediate test, beginning with a trip to Auckland before a Melbourne Derby against Victory.
The team will then return to AAMI Park for back-to-back home matches against Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers.
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While acknowledging the difficulty of the opening schedule, Vidmar believes his side is well-prepared for the challenge.
“I haven’t really had a close look at what everyone else is doing, but we’ve got a pretty tough first four games,” he said. “Auckland is never easy and then the Derby second up. So it’s important, but I think the tougher the games the better. The league is going to be very competitive.
“I think it’s going to be exactly what it was last year. You know, you had the bottom teams at some stage beating the top teams. And I think that’s going to happen again this year.”
Despite the difficult opening stretch, Vidmar is focused on ensuring his side approaches every fixture with the right mentality.
“It’s, we’ll go out there with the right mentality, the right intensity. I think it’s always important. And I think that’s something that we always show anyway. And, you know, you need a little bit of luck to go your way at some stage… As I said, I’m really positive and happy with where the group is.”
Beyond results, City fans can expect to see a team committed to playing its trademark style of football.
Vidmar reiterated his desire for City to control games through possession and dictate the tempo, regardless of the opposition or venue.
“For us, it’s business as usual. You know, we’re going to play the same way at home that we do away. So, you know, we are the team that want to try to dictate as long as possible and have the ball for as long as possible.”
“And that’s our style. That’s the way we play and that’s what we’re looking forward to.”
The first opportunity for City fans to see their side back in action during a home fixture at AAMI Park will come on Saturday 31 October, when Sydney FC visits Melbourne for a family-friendly 5:00pm Halloween clash. Don’t miss it, get your tickets now!
A week later, City will host Western Sydney Wanderers under lights on Saturday 7 November.
With the countdown almost over, Vidmar says his squad is ready to turn its attention from pre-season preparations to competitive football.
“I think just everyone wants it just to get it started now.”
