ALM PREVIEW: Victory v City

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Off the back of an inspired midweek AFC Champions League Elite win in Japan, Melbourne City returns to familiar surroundings at AAMI Park for the first Melbourne Derby of the Isuzu UTE A-League season on Saturday night.

While it will technically be an away fixture, City fans will be eager to see their team continue our strong momentum back on home turf against our cross-town rivals.

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Here are all of the key talking points ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster clash:

Riding high on momentum

City enters the Derby on a five-match unbeaten run across all competitions (3W, 2D), with confidence high after back-to-back victories in the AFC Champions League Elite. Aurelio Vidmar’s side wrapped up a demanding two-game road trip in perfect fashion midweek, grinding out a hard-fought 2-1 win over Machida Zelvia thanks to a stoppage-time strike from Andrew Nabbout.

Even more impressive than the result was the performance of City’s youthful starting lineup, which had an average age of just 22.8 years and featured six Academy graduates, with a further six of the bench, three of whom featured as substitutes.

Without the experienced quartet of Aziz Behich, Mathew Leckie, Samuel Souprayen and Elbasan Rashani, the young group stood tall under continental pressure to record a famous result in Japan.

Now back in Melbourne, City will look to carry that confidence into another fierce contest. While it’s been a consistent start to the league campaign with one win and two draws from three matches, a Derby win would be the perfect boost heading into the international break.

How much does a winning formula change?

Vidmar made five changes to his starting XI for Tuesday night’s clash in Japan, calling on several fresh faces to manage the squad through a busy schedule. As City prepares for a third game in just eight days, all eyes will again be on how the Head Coach balances his lineup for the Derby.

Midfielder Takeshi Kanamori made an impact off the bench midweek and could be in contention to return to the starting lineup, while the versatile Kai Trewin remains a key piece of the puzzle. After featuring predominantly as a holding midfielder this season, Trewin was moved back into central defence on Tuesday night – a position he excelled in during last season’s Championship run.

If he returns to midfield, it could open the door for young centre-back Liam Bonetig to reclaim a starting spot.

Andrew Nabbout, fresh off his first goal in a year, is another player to watch. While it may still be too early for him to start after two appearances from the bench following his long-term injury, his experience and energy could again prove invaluable under the bright lights of the Derby.

A quick reminder of what happened last time…

Saturday night marks the first meeting between the two Melbourne sides this season – and the first since that unforgettable Grand Final earlier this year. On that night, it was Yonatan Cohen’s early strike that separated the teams, sealing City’s second Isuzu UTE A-League Championship.

Mathew Leckie was named Joe Marston Medallist for his tireless display in that victory, although the City veteran will unfortunately be sidelined this time around due to a minor hamstring injury.

Eight of City’s starters from that Grand Final triumph remain at the Club, with several expected to feature again this weekend.

Victory, meanwhile, come into the 50th edition of the Melbourne Derby on the back of their first win of the season, a confident 2-0 result away to Perth Glory – setting the stage for yet another classic encounter at AAMI Park.