The final Melbourne Derby of the season is just around the corner and Melbourne City FC will be looking to bounce back from its disappointing loss against Brisbane Roar with a strong performance against the Victory.
The clash
It’s been a little while since the City boys have been in action, the boys’ last competitive game being our away trip to Brisbane Roar that ended 3-0 to the home side.
In what was City’s first game as A-League Premiers, Patrick Kisnorbo had to navigate a three-day turnaround by naming a heavily rotated starting lineup, with Matt Sutton, Taras Gomulka, Naoki Tsubaki and Daniel Georgievski all getting starts on the night.
An @ALeague debut for Matt Sutton and a first City start for Daniel Georgievski! 💪
Congratulations to both 👏👏#CmonCity | #BRIvMCY | #ALeague pic.twitter.com/P6ROpm6TFG
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) May 25, 2021
Brisbane’s class shone through from start to finish, with the home side combining stingy defending with efficient chance-conversion to counter City’s edging of the overall shooting opportunities and possession. Two penalties converted by Jay O’Shea and a goal to Alex Parsons were enough to seal the result.
Whilst the result will no doubt be of disappointment to fans and players alike, especially given the high standards the team has held itself to this season, we’re without doubt that the squad will bounce back emphatically when it takes to the pitch later for a big Melbourne Derby, albeit behind closed doors.
Victory’s struggles have continued throughout the season, with the team resigned to its lowest finish – both in terms of points and ladder position – in its history, regardless of the Derby result.
Our crosstown rivals will be encouraged by their recent 6-1 demolition of Western United, however, with that result serving as the first time they’ve beaten the A-League newcomers in six meetings.
Fans will require little reminding of the incredible previous results from this season’s Melbourne Derbies, no doubt hoping for one final dominant performance to cap off what would be a historic clean sweep.
Nope, you weren't dreaming last night City fans 🤩
Relive it all with the match highlights 📺#CmonCity | #MelbDerby | #MCYvMVC | #ALeague pic.twitter.com/mwc5ZkJPAf
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) April 17, 2021
Melbourne City FC squad
Head Coach Patrick Kisnorbo has made five additions to his squad, with our three Socceroos boys now unavailable for the remainder of the season. Captain Scott Jamieson and Craig Noone return after being rested last fixture, while Rostyn Griffiths returns from injury and Kerrin Stokes and Anthony Lesiotis have both been promoted.
1.Tom GLOVER (gk), 2.Scott GALLOWAY, 3.Scott JAMIESON (c), 4.Nuno REIS, 5.Daniel GEORGIEVSKI, 7.Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 8.Aiden O’NEILL, 10.Florin BERENGUER-BOHRER, 11.Craig NOONE, 14.Naoki TSUBAKI, 16.Taras GOMULKA, 17.Stefan COLAKOVSKI, 19.Ben GARUCCIO, 20.Adrian LUNA, 23.Marco TILIO, 33.Matthew SUTTON (gk) 35.Raphael BORGES RODRIGUES, 36.Kerrin STOKES 39.Anthony LESIOTIS, 43.Alec MILLS.
**2 to be omitted**
In: 3.Scott JAMIESON (promoted), 7.Rostyn GRIFFITHS (returns from injury), 11.Craig NOONE (promoted), 36.Kerrin STOKES (promoted), 39.Anthony LESIOTIS (promoted).
Out: 9. Jamie MACLAREN (national team duty), 18.Connor METCALFE (national team duty), 22.Curtis GOOD (national team duty).
Unavailable: 9. Jamie MACLAREN (national team duty), 13.Nathaniel ATKINSON (hamstring), 15.Andrew NABBOUT (adductor), 18.Connor METCALFE (national team duty), 22.Curtis GOOD (national team duty).
Match Details
A-League Round 24
Melbourne Victory vs Melbourne City FC
Sunday 6 June, kick-off 4:05pm
AAMI Park
