The clash
Melbourne City will be eager to return to the winner’s list when they return to AAMI Park for the first time in just over a month, hosting Brisbane Roar on Friday night.
Following a comprehensive 2-0 win over Sydney FC at Leichhardt Oval in Round 22, City were unable to make it back-to-back wins in Sydney, going down 3-0 to Western Sydney last Saturday night.
Down 1-0 at the break following Oriol Riera’s first-half spot kick, City missed two chances to equalise in the early stages of the second-half. Missed opportunities would come back to haunt the team in City blue, as Michell Duke’s 53rd minute strike seemed to spark the Wanderers into action, with the hosts running out 3-0 winners after Riera sealed his brace with six minutes to play.
This week’s opponents Brisbane Roar will be equally as determined to secure the points following their 3-1 loss to Sydney FC at Suncorp Stadium last week.
Aaron Calver opened the scoring inside the opening 60 seconds for the Sky Blues, before Eric Bautheac equalised in the 68th minute with a superb finish. Despite the Roar’s ability to hit back, Sydney ran out 3-1 winners after both Adam Le Fondre and Siem de Jong found the back of the net in the closing quarter of an hour of play.
Undefeated in their last 12 A-League games on home soil against Brisbane Roar and their last nine consecutive home games at the venue, City will be keen to extend their strong run of form as they look to climb the league ladder with four fixtures remaining.
Last time they met
The last time the two teams met was in Round 13, when City ran out 1-0 winners over the Roar at AAMI Park.
A perfectly timed Ritchie De Laet strike proved to be the difference between the two sides, as the marquee man’s brilliant half volley beat Brisbane shot-stopper Jamie Young.
Team news
A key inclusion headlines our team news this week. For all the ins and outs, visit our Team News.
What was said
Melbourne City Head Coach Warren Joyce
“We’re going to be on the front foot and try and win the game like we have done all season.”
Melbourne City attacker Jamie Maclaren
“It would be nice to go out there on Friday night (and score).”
“All respect to that club [Brisbane] and what they gave me, but my loyalties are here with Melbourne City … for me it’s business as usual.”
Where and when
City host Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park on Friday 5 April, kick-off 7:50pm, get your tickets here. It’s back-to-back home fixtures for the team in City blue who take on Adelaide United on Saturday 13 April, kick-off 5:35pm.
