After a mixed opening weekend to the new A-Leagues season, attention now turns to Matchweek 2, with two big fixtures awaiting our City Men and Women.
Saturday night’s Melbourne Derby headlines the weekend, with Aurelio Vidmar’s side set to face Melbourne Victory in our first AAMI Park appearance of the new campaign.
While we’ll technically be the away side, we’re calling on City fans to turn out in force and get right behind the boys as both Melbourne clubs look to bounce back from opening-round defeats in New Zealand.
Attention will then turn to our City Women on Sunday, with Michael Matricciani’s side travelling to face Sydney FC as we look to make it two wins from two to begin our Premiership and Championship defence.
It will also be our final fixture before heading to Uzbekistan for the AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage, making another three points all the more valuable ahead of a busy period of continental football.
With both Head Coaches now confirming their extended squads, here’s all the latest team news ahead of the weekend.
ALM Team News
There’s some welcome news on the selection front ahead of Saturday night’s Melbourne Derby, with two of City’s newest international arrivals included in the extended squad.
Danish playmaker Emiliano Marcondes and Costa Rican defender Julio Cascante are both in contention to make their competitive City debuts after missing last weekend’s trip to Auckland.
Marcondes was sidelined with an ankle injury for our season opener, while Cascante was given additional time to build his fitness after arriving late in pre-season.
Both have now been named in Vidmar’s squad as City looks to respond to last Saturday’s defeat in Auckland.
They join fellow off-season arrivals Awer Mabil, Macklin Freke and Quinn MacNicol, who all made their Club debuts in Auckland, with MacNicol marking the occasion with his first City goal.
ALM Matchweek 2 Squad v Melbourne Victory
1. Macklin FREKE (GK), 2. Harrison DELBRIDGE, 4. Liam BONETIG, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 9. Max CAPUTO, 10. Emiliano MARCONDES, 11. Awer MABIL, 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 14. Besian KUTLESHI, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 18. Julio CASCANTE, 19. Quinn MACNICOL, 22. Peter ANTONIOU, 23. Medin MEMETI, 24. Kavian RAHMANI, 39. Roland BALLAH, 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (GK), 41. Lawrence WONG, 77. Takeshi KANAMORI.
In: 10. Emiliano MARCONDES (returns from injury), 18. Julio CASCANTE (promoted).
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: 5. Matheus ROSSETTO (calf), 20. Ben MAZZEO (ankle), 21. Alessandro LOPANE (hamstring), 26. Ryan KALMS (knee).
ALW Team News
It’s a largely unchanged picture for Matricciani ahead of Sunday’s trip to Sydney, following our dramatic come-from-behind victory over Wellington Phoenix in Matchweek 1.
City will be looking to build on that 2-1 win, which saw returning striker Melina Ayres score from the penalty spot before Momo Hayashi produced a stunning late free kick to secure all three points.
Young midfielder Layla Habib has been promoted to the extended squad, while Danielle Turner remains sidelined with a foot injury.
Recent arrival Princess Ibini will also have to wait a little longer to make her City debut, with the experienced attacker continuing to build her fitness after joining the squad in training during the week.
There’s also some positive news on the selection front, with Danielle Turner back in the extended squad after missing our season opener with a foot issue, while Layla Habib has also been included for the trip to Sydney.
With the likes of Cortnee Vine, Jessika Nash and Hayashi now having their first competitive City appearances under their belts, Matricciani will be hoping his refreshed squad can continue building momentum before turning its attention to the continental stage.
ALW Matchweek 2 Squad v Sydney FC
3. Danielle TURNER, 4. Jessika NASH, 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 8. Momo HAYASHI, 9. Cortnee VINE, 10. Avaani PRAKASH, 11. Deven JACKSON, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 14. Melina AYRES, 15. Tully HEATLEY, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 20. Kelli McGROARTY, 21. Aideen KEANE, 22. Taylor RAY, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 26. Izabella RAKO, 27. Chelsea BIGGS, 29. Layla HABIB.
In: 3. Danielle TURNER (returns from injury), 29. Layla HABIB (promoted).
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: 17. Kaya JUGOVIC, 19. Keira SARRIS, 25. Dali GORR BURCHMORE (all international duty).
