After one of the most challenging weeks in Australian football history, the Melbourne Derby is set to light up Round 8 – both on and off the pitch.
Victory enter this clash after returning from the World Cup break with a 1-0 win away from home against Macarthur last time out.
Last week’s success has seen Victory climb to fifth on the ladder, with the potential to put themselves within three points of the league leaders with a win on Saturday night.
Head Coach Tony Popovic is looking forward to returning to AAMI Park, and expects another hard-fought contest.
“It’s a very important game for our fans, for both sets of fans, and on the calendar. We’re ready. We had a very good, tough away in against Macarthur in tough conditions,” Popovic said.
“We feel the players have an opportunity now to kick on and get another three points, and hopefully, put on an even better performance.”
PLAYER IN FOCUS
Nick D’Agostino was born for the big occasions and the biggest games, and the 24-year-old is quickly establishing him as one of the A-League’s hardest working forwards.
D’Agostino was the catalyst in Victory’s return to action in Round 7, creating a number of chances in and around the box, forcing Macarthur’s Filip Kurto to show off his best work with a fingertip save onto the crossbar.
LAST TIME V CITY
Melbourne Victory 0-2 Melbourne City
October 22, 2022
AAMI Park
HEAD TO HEAD
The past five Melbourne Derby encounters have ended as draws, with the biggest win belonging to Victory in April’s 3-0 win.
2022/23, October 22: Victory 0-2 City
2021/22, April 9: Victory 3-0 City
2021/22, March 19: City 1-1 Victory
2021/22, Dec 18: City 2-2 Victory
2020/21, June 6: Victory 1-1 City
MELBOURNE VICTORY SQUAD
1. Matt ACTON, 2. Jason GERIA, 3. Enrique LOPEZ, 4. Rai MARCHAN, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 7. Chris IKONOMIDIS, 8. Josh BRILLANTE. 9. Tomi JURIC, 10. Bruno FORNAROLI, 11. Ben FOLAMI, 15. George TIMOTHEOU, 16. Stefan NIGRO, 17. Luis NANI, 18. Nick D’AGOSTINO, 20. Paul IZZO, 21. Roderick MIRANDA, 22. Jake BRIMMER, 23. Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 24. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 28. Will WILSON, 31. Matthew BOZINOVSKI
In: 8. Josh BRILLANTE (returns from injury), 23. Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS (promoted)
Out: nil
Unavailable: 5. Matt SPIRANOVIC (injured)
