We’re sure you probably don’t need any more reason to be absolutely pumped about the Champions returning to AAMI Park on Friday night, but just in case you do… here’s what we’re looking forward to!
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A home season opener
The 2021/22 Isuzu UTE A-League season is almost here!
We’ll be getting our campaign underway with a home opener against Brisbane Roar this Friday and can’t wait to see you back in the stands at AAMI Park!
Aside from getting to watch your City boys in action, the team’s incredible home record in 2020/21 is even more reason to attend on Friday, with City collecting 31 of a possible 39 points in home games last campaign.
With an equally favourable record against Brisbane in recent years, we’re hoping to see a performance on Friday that validates these statistics and secures us the three points in our home opener.
An incredible home record against Brisbane
Speaking of our head-to-head record against Brisbane, our undefeated streak of home games against the Roar is set to extend into its 11th year, with this Friday’s opposition not having beaten us at AAMI Park since November 2010.
Additionally, we’ve never failed to score a goal when playing at home against Brisbane and with the attacking quality in our ranks, fans can be optimistic of another strong performance this Friday.
The Socceroos boys could be back in contention
Whilst fans will no doubt have been delighted with City’s dominant performance in our FFA Cup Round of 32 win over South Melbourne, there may have been some disappointment that they weren’t yet able to see our Socceroos front three in action for the first time this season.
With Andrew Nabbout already back in Melbourne and Jamie Maclaren and Mathew Leckie playing their final Socceroos game of this international break on Wednesday morning, all three could be in contention for starting spots by Friday night.
The combination has already proven lethal throughout the pre-season, with Maclaren and Leckie both netting twice each in our series of friendlies against Western United, whilst Nabbout will undoubtedly join in the goalscoring fun once the season rolls around.
Kicking off our title defence
As defending Men’s Premiers and Champions, there’s a lot on the line coming into Season 2021/22.
As all fans will know, it’s vital to make a strong start to the season and the City boys will be looking for nothing less than three points to get their league title defence underway.
Fans will remember City’s opening six games last campaign, in which the team recorded just two wins and had serious ground to make up on the early leaders, so we’ll all be hoping for a much faster start this time around.
A possible first look at Manuel Pucciarelli?
As if we needed anything else to look forward to ahead of the season opener, Friday night also looms as an opportunity for fans to get a first look at new signing Manuel Pucciarelli, who missed out on our FFA Cup fixture last week.
The Italian arrived at City over the pre-season with a long resumé of Serie A experience and will be looking to fill the midfield void left by league double-winner Adrián Luna.
His position in the starting XI is far from guaranteed, with several players eligible to fulfil a similar role, including Florin Berenguer who was impressive across pre-season and in City’s 3-0 win over South Melbourne.
Fans will undoubtedly await Friday’s team sheet with anticipation as we find out who is named in Patrick Kisnorbo’s first lineup of the new season.
