Melbourne City will look to continue its developing rivalry with Adelaide United next season as City face the Champions twice at AAMI Park in 2016/17.
John van’t Schip’s side will face Adelaide first up in Round 4 at AAMI Park after their opening home match of the season against Perth Glory.
City then head to Coopers Stadium after the new year to continue their impressive away record at the ground on Thursday 12 January with the two wrapping up regular season hostilities on Friday 17 April at AAMI Park.
It was mixed results for City against Adelaide in 2015/16 with van’t Schip’s side taking two three point hauls away from the City of Churches. There was no stopping Adelaide with their end of season form as they picked up a controversial 2-0 win at AAMI Park in the final round of the season and qualified for the Grand Final with a 4-1 win at home.
With two fixtures at AAMI Park this season, the Champions will be wary of a City side that will look to prove a point from last season’s finish. There will be plenty of players who have worn both shirts amongst the ranks when the sides meet in Round 4 as the two continue to forge an intriguing rivalry.
Previous Meetings – Hyundai A-League 2015/16
Adelaide United 2-4 Melbourne City (Thursday 5 November)
City looked to heap on the pressure to Adelaide United’s poor start to the season as they came away convincing winners in the first meeting between the two in 2015/16. Goals to Erik Paartalu and Aaron Mooy before the break was met by Bruno Fornaroli’s neat finish just after the interval as City looked home and hosed before the 60th minute. Sergio Cirio pulled one back for the Reds before Fornaroli put the result beyond doubt to give City an important three points away from home.
Adelaide United 0-1 Melbourne City (Friday 11 March)
In the midst of Adelaide’s impressive turnaround, John van’t Schip’s side travelled to Coopers Stadium in a nervy contest between the sides. The tight encounter came down to one moment of magic as Nick Fitzgerald scored his first goal for the Club with a curling effort that nestled in the top corner. The result almost affirmed City’s position in the finals, impeding one of the most impressive runs in A-League history.
Melbourne City 0-2 Adelaide United (Friday 8 April)
It was an explosive first half at AAMI Park as tensions flared between the two sides. Isaias opened the scoring with a dipping free-kick on the apex of the area. The Reds lead was doubled as Thomas Sorensen’s effort to usher the ball out for a goal kick saw him barge into Stefan Mauk and concede the resulting penalty. A flare-up as the sides entered the tunnel mellowed out later in the match as the result ensured Adelaide would secure the Premiership.
Adelaide United 4-1 Melbourne City (Friday 22 April – Semi Final)
The final match between the sides came in the penultimate match of the season as the rampant Adelaide enjoyed the week off as City overcame Perth Glory in the Elimination Final. After a tight first half, a double to Bruce Djite after the break opened the game up. Nick Fitzgerald gave City a sniff heading into the final minutes but it wasn’t enough as the Reds made the most of City’s push for an equaliser, scoring twice in the final minutes.
