Melbourne Victory host Melbourne City in Matchweek 2 of the A-League Men.
The home opener packs a punch for the Boys in Blue as they look to bring up a third straight win over their crosstown rivals on Saturday, October 24, kick-off at 7:40pm AEDT.
Victory won the 2025 Christmas derby before repeating the feat in March thanks to two special goals from reigning Victory Medallist Juan Mata, who is back at AAMI Park and will show his appreciation to supporters pre-match.
It will then be all eyes on the pitch, with Giovanni Savarese’s team pursuing bragging rights and a response to last weekend’s loss at Wellington Phoenix, versus a City side that also left New Zealand empty-handed in Matchweek 1. Tickets can be purchased now by clicking here.
The Boys in Blue
After a run of three matches in three competitions across nine days, Melbourne Victory will be fired up to put into practice a run of clean air on the training track when Melbourne Derby hostilities resume under the lights.
The group, led by Head Coach, Giovanni Savarese, who travelled to Wellington Phoenix on Sunday, have come through the week unscathed, and Harry Sawyer is available again after the striker experienced soreness following the AFC Champions League Two Group E win over FC Seoul.
This means Victory’s only absentee remains midfielder Louis D’Arrigo, who has been sidelined from match action since September’s clash with Thể Công-Viettel in Hanoi.
Charles Nduka, who netted on the trip across the ditch, will be aiming to make it two in two to start the campaign as he hunts a first goal against Melbourne City, and hometown hero Matthew Grimaldi, the Derby matchwinner last December, is one of many attacking threats looking to put the Matchweek 1 loss firmly in the rearview mirror.
MW1 squad: 1. Jack WARSHAWSKY, 3. Jason DAVIDSON, 4. Philipp ZIEREIS, 5. Brendan HAMILL, 8. Jordi VALADON, 9. Harrison SAWYER, 10. Denis GENREAU, 11. Clerismario SANTOS RODRIGUES, 14. Matthew GRIMALDI, 15. Thomas LOCKYER, 16. Joshua INSERRA, 18. Franco LINO, 21. Guillermo MAY, 22. Xavier STELLA, 23. Keegan JELACIC, 25. Jack DUNCAN, 26. Jack MIHAILIDIS, 29. Michael GHOSSAINI, 36. Harrison SHILLINGTON, 44. Charles NDUKA.
Ins: N/A
Outs: N/A
Unavailable: 6. Louis D’ARRIGO (injury).
Last time out
Melbourne Victory were unable to capitalise on a sequence of key chances as they were beaten by Wellington Phoenix at Hnry Stadium.
The visitors had put themselves in a solid position away from home, cancelling out Corban Piper’s opener through a sharp first-half finish from their own centre-forward Charles Nduka.
However, other openings for the Japanese goalscorer and Matthew Grimaldi came and went before substitute Riley Bidois won it for the Phoenix, sweeping home smartly.
Melbourne City were overpowered by a Lachlan Bayliss-inspired Auckland FC at Go Media Stadium last Saturday, losing out 3-1 to the defending Champions.
Bayliss’ opener, an early contender for goal of the season, struck from 35 yards on debut, was briefly equalised by a hit from City debutant Quinn MacNicol before the New Zealand international restored the Black Knights’ lead.
This was extended, and the points guaranteed, five minutes from time when Lachlan Brook curled home accurately to give new boss Pedro Moreira a winning start in the A-League.
