Melbourne Victory is eyeing back-to-back wins in the Derby when it faces City in the Hyundai A-League at AAMI Park on Friday.
Summary
Victory produced one of its best performances of the season when the teams met in December, recording a 2-1 win.
It is targeting another Derby win when the teams do battle in Round 18 and goes into the clash on the back of two promising results.
Victory edged Kashima Antlers in the AFC Champions League last week to book a spot in the group stage of the competition.
Just four days later and it was pegged back twice in a 2-2 draw away to Perth Glory in the Hyundai A-League.
Andrew Nabbout, who scored the winning goal in Japan, set up Ola Toivonen’s brilliant opener before netting the second goal following an Anthony Lesiotis assist.
Victory also saw star attacker Marco Rojas make an appearance off the bench in his first game since returning to the club.
Robbie Kruse and Tim Hoogland missed the clash in Perth, but are expected to be in contention to play in the Derby, while Victory also welcomed back former defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco this week.
Victory is unbeaten in its past four meetings with City, although three of those were draws.
Player in focus
What they said
“I’ve been training this week so just trying to show him what I can do. I wasn’t able to play last time I was here so it is a Derby that I’ve always wanted to play in and fingers crossed I get that opportunity, if not I’m ready to help the team whatever they need.” – Victory’s Gallifuoco.
“Derbies are always special for everybody, doesn’t matter where, here it’s like everywhere, every player wants to win the Derby. We know that the last two matches we didn’t win and if we want to be up in the rankings, we have to win this Derby.” – City’s Markel Susaeta.
Last time
Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Round 11
City 1-2 Melbourne Victory
Saturday, December 21, 2019
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Toivonen’s double settled the Christmas Derby in what was a dominant performance by Victory.
The forward scored twice in the first half and Victory squandered numerous chances but secured three points despite Harrison Delbridge’s goal.
As it stands
Head to head
Round 11, 2019/20: City 1-2 Victory at AAMI Park
Round 1, 2019/20: Victory 0-0 City at Marvel Stadium
Round 20, 2018/19: Victory 1-1 City at Marvel Stadium
Round 9, 2018/19: City 1-1 Victory at AAMI Park
Round 1, 2018/19: Victory 1-2 City at Marvel Stadium
Match details
City v Melbourne Victory
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Friday, February 7, 2020
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
Melbourne Victory squad: 2.Storm ROUX, 4.James DONACHIE, 5.Tim HOOGLAND, 7.Kenny ATHIU, 8.Jakob POULSEN, 9.Andrew NABBOUT, 10.Robbie KRUSE, 11.Ola TOIVONEN, 15.Giancarlo GALLIFUOCO, 16.Josh HOPE, 17.Elvis KAMSOBA, 18.Migjen BASHA, 19.Ben CARRIGAN, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (gk), 21.Adama TRAORE, 23. Marco ROJAS, 24.Anthony LESIOTIS, 25.Brandon LAUTON, 26.Jay BARNETT, 50.Brendan WHITE (gk)
**2-4 to be omitted**
Ins: 5.Tim HOOGLAND (promoted), 10.Robbie KRUSE (return from injury), 15.Giancarlo GALLIFUOCO (new signing)
Outs: 6.Leigh BROXHAM (calf, 2-3 weeks)
Unavailable: 1.Matt ACTON (shoulder)
