Melbourne City will be looking to kick off the new year in similar fashion to the form it showed in 2022.
A trip to Wellington to face the Phoenix first on the agenda for Rado Vidosic’s men as we edge closer to the halfway mark of season 2022/23.
In what will be its first trip across the ditch since 2020, the ladder-leading City will look to build on last week’s performance against the Mariners that saw it hold on for a gritty 1-0 victory in challenging conditions.
Once again it was Jamie Maclaren who gave City the lead in the first half, finishing off a sublime cross from Richard van der Venne, after the Dutchman made a decisive run in behind the defence to set up the goal.
van der Venne has continued to impress in his first season with City, piecing together a number of solid performances in midfield since being promoted to the starting line-up in Round 5.
With a five-day turnaround from the Mariners game that saw the City squad pushed physically in what was some scorching Melbourne heat, squad rotation could potentially be an area that Vidosic explores on Monday.
Boasting plenty of depth right across the squad, City had the luxury of bringing both skipper Scott Jamieson and Socceroo Andrew Nabbout off the bench last time out, as Vidosic used all five of his allowed substitutes.
City dominated proceedings right from the kick off against the Mariners, racking up 14 shots to the Mariners two in the first half, before then controlling the game in the second half to hold on for the three points.
The side will no doubt be looking to replicate that first half intensity for the entire 90 minutes in their clash with Wellington this Monday.
City can further solidify their spot at the top of the A-League men’s ladder, already four points clear of the second placed Western Sydney Wanderers coming into the upcoming game against the Phoenix.
The eighth placed Phoenix are coming off a 1-1 draw with Perth Glory as they also look to jostle for position on the table, currently three points adrift of Macarthur in third.
MATCH DETAILS
A-League Men: Round 9
Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne City FC
Monday 2 January, 1:00pm KO (AEDT)
Sky Stadium
