Match Details
Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City
Date: Sun 5 May
Time: 5:00pm (AEST)
Location: AAMI Park
Tickets: http://mvf.club/eftickets
Our boys in blue kick off their 13th finals campaign on Sunday 5 May when they take on Melbourne City at AAMI Park.
After finishing third on the Isuzu UTE A-League table, Tony Popovic’s side will face sixth-placed Melbourne City in a knockout Elimination Final.
It’s been nine long years since we last faced City in a final, with a 3-0 Semi-Finals win in 2015 being the last.
The last time our boys in blue played in the A-Leagues finals series was the 2020/21 season.
Set to face City for the fourth time this season, Victory will be looking to remain undefeated in the #MelbDerby after two 0-0 draws and a 2-1 win so far this season.
Bruno Fornaroli and Damien Da Silva the goalscorers in the last #MelbDerby that secured our spot in the finals.
Defender Jason Geria is primed to return to this weekend’s lineup after his two-match suspension was reduced to one match already served.
FROM TONY
On the health and fitness of the squad…
“We certainly hope and anticipate that will be the same in a couple of days with a couple more training sessions to come. But yeah, we’re all excited and looking forward to as you say a big Derby, a big elimination game. This is what you train and plan for and play all year for to have such a big game and we’re proud to be part of it.”
On Jason Geria’s successful suspension appeal…
“We expect him to come back into the side and there was a bit of an anxious wait for him as well. But he trained really well last week he did some extra work in the hope that it would fall our way in terms of the resolution of the appeal and yeah, we’re all delighted that he’s available.”
On the excitement of a Melbourne Derby Elimination Final…
“You feel the difference from last week’s training where they trained well leading into the game. There was a lot of emotion obviously with Broxy and a few other things that we’re preparing for that week, but this week is certainly different. You know, you can see it in their eyes. You can see it in training.”
“It’s a game they can’t wait to play in, to be a part of and there’s healthy competition for places, the whole squad’s excited. Everyone’s played a part in getting us to this point where we finished third in the league. It’s a big match coming up and we’re expecting a big crowd and a lot of support. Together with our fans, you know, we want to get through this game.”
On beating City…
“We have to build from what we’ve shown so far in the three games. You have to bring your all-round game and you have to improve on it and dial it up. It’s finals and whatever intensity we’ve had so far in the games (against City), I’m sure they’ll be higher. I’m sure the speed of the game will be higher. You know, we want to play our part in being able to handle all those moments and make sure that the details fall on our side.”
FROM BRUNO
LAST TIME
THE STATS
SQUAD
2.Jason GERIA, 3.Adama TRAORE, 5.Damien DA SILVA, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Chris IKONOMIDIS, 8.Zinedine MACHACH, 10.Bruno FORNAROLI, 11.Ben FOLAMI, 14.Connor CHAPMAN, 17.Nishan VELUPILLAY, 19.Daniel ARZANI, 20.Paul IZZO, 21.Roderick MIRANDA, 22.Jake BRIMMER, 23.Salim KHELIFI, 25.Ryan TEAGUE, 27.Jordi VALADON, 28.Roly BONEVACIA, 30.Ahmad TALEB, 37.Kasey BOS
Ins: 2.Jason GERIA, 27.Jordi VALADON
Out:
Unavailable:
