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Melbourne City vs Melbourne Victory highlights: Derby ends in 2-all draw

13th February, 2016
Kick-off: 7:30pm AEDT
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Referee: Chris Beath
Form: Melbourne City W-D-W-L-L, Melbourne Victory D-W-W-L-D
Table position: Melbourne City third, Melbourne Victory fourth
Last meeting: Melbourne City 2 – 1 Melbourne Victory (19/12/15)
Coverage: Live, Fox Sports
Betting: Melbourne City $2.90, draw $3.60, Melbourne Victory $2.25
Besart Berisha celebrates a goal for Melbourne. (AAP Image/Joe Castro)
Roar Guru
13th February, 2016
102
3496 Reads

Match result:

It was an incredible game of football at AAMI Park, and in the end, perhaps unfairly, both sides were forced to share the spoils.

REPORT: CITY, VICTORY PLAY 2-2 CLASSIC

The fixture had everything, with four yellow cards being awarded within the first 15 minutes of the game.

Bruno Fornaroli started off, and ended an incredible attack with one of the best goals of the season, but Fahid Ben Khalfallah equalised shortly after with an equally brilliant finish.

Fornaroli however would find the net again via a header, and Melbourne City would head into half time ahead 2-1.

Barely two minutes had been played in the second half, and Guilherme Finkler had found the net, accidentally, to put Victory level again.

Finkler’s second attempt however, was not accidental, rocketing an incredible free kick into the bottom of the cross forcing the ball to bounce in and then out of the goal.

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The goal however, was not given, and Melbourne City were handed another lifeline.

Anthony Caceres was sent off with 10 minutes remaining after receiving a second yellow card, and City would be forced to play defensively for the rest of the game.

City managed to hang on, and keep third place on the ladder. Victory get a point, but will disappointed considering the circumstances.

The final score from AAMI Park: Melbourne City 2, Melbourne Victory 2.

Match preview:

Its third versus fourth as Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory clash in this high-stakes Melbourne Derby at AAMI Stadium. Join The Roar from 7:30pm AEDT for live scores and commentary.

Coming off two losses, Melbourne City will at least a point to maintain third position on the A-League table.

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After a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Newcastle Jets, City remained on 28 points only above Melbourne Victory due to goal difference.

City’s top goal scorer Bruno Fornaroli also remains just ahead of Victory’s top scorer Besart Berisha on the goal scoring tally by one. Fornaroli has found the net 15 times this season, the most of any player in 2015-16.

After a hard-earned 1-all draw with current table leaders the Western Sydney Wanderers in their last fixture, Melbourne Victory are just one win away from leapfrogging City on the table into third place.

Berisha scored early in the contest, however Victory could not hold on as the Wanderers got a goal back late in the fixture to ensure both sides had to share the spoils.

Victory will have history on their side in the Melbourne derby, having won three of the last four.

However, the last time these two sides faced off, Melbourne City got the upper hand.

Stefan Mauk and Paulo Retre scored for City, before Berisha got one back just before half time. City managed to hang on and take the 2-1 win back in December.

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Melbourne City play with a 3-5-2 formation, and will need to be careful not to be exposed by Fahid Ben Khalfallah and Kosta Barbarouses on the wings.

Both sides are strong defensively, however City’s formation will likely play into the style of Victory, who should get all three points in what is almost certain to be a highly competitive affair.

Prediction
Melbourne City 1 – 2 Melbourne Victory

Join The Roar from 7:30pm AEDT for live scores and commentary.

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