Melbourne City
2
Match Complete
Western United
1
| 92' |  | N. Milanovic | ||
| A. O'Neill |  | 88' | ||
| 86' | | L. Lacroix | ||
| 75' | | J. Risdon | ||
| J. Maclaren | | 59' | ||
| J. Bos | | 48' | ||
| 42' | | J. Troisi | ||
| L. Lacroix | | 38' | ||
| A. Nabbout | | 30' | ||
| 30' | | C. Pain |
| 19 | Shots | 9 | ||
| 8 | On Target | 4 | ||
| 16 | Fouls | 8 | ||
| 11 | Corners | 3 | ||
| 1 | Offsides | 2 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 3 | Yellow Cards | 4 |
Melbourne City host Western United in a Grand Final replay at AAMI Park to open the new A-League season. Join The Roar for all the action from 7:45pm (AEST).
After a championship win that stunned many in 2021-22, Western United return under John Aloisi for another crack at silverware this season. Their campaign opens against the team they managed to out-muscle in last season’s decider, with premiers Melbourne City certain to be ready for revenge.
City have an embarrassment of riches up front, but it is in midfield where Patrick Kisnorbo has added a little Euro flair, with Valon Berisha and Richard van der Venne set to figure at some point this evening.
Aiden O’Neill continues to be absent from the City squad through injury, but the addition of Thomas Lam will bring some steel to the starting line-up that has lost Connor Metcalfe and Rostyn Griffiths since they last met.
The ‘away’ team are likely to be without their captain and magician, Alessandro Diamanti, who continues to recover from a knee injury picked up last season, but they have already shown they have quality across the park, anchored by the impressive Leo Lacroix.
Aleksandar Prijovic returns to add a cool ruthlessness to a busy Western United attack, and we look forward to seeing wildcard Tongo Doumbia, plucked from the Kazakhstan Premier League, a player who could deliver with some match fitness under his belt.
Western United have the upper hand in recent meetings between these two teams, but write off Melbourne City’s dynamic attack at your peril.
Prediction
Everyone secretly loves the nomadic Western United, but the head says a Melbourne City win tonight. Key new signings for City may need some time to fire, and Aloisi’s men will be keen to reassert their authority on the rivalry.
Melbourne City to triumph 2-0.
Game information
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 7:45pm (AEST)
TV/Stream: Paramount+
Odds: Melbourne City $1.77; Draw $3.75; Western United $4.10 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Melbourne City
1. Tom GLOVER (GK), 2. Scott GALLOWAY, 3. Scott JAMIESON (C), 4. Nuno REIS, 6. Thomas LAM, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 8. Richard VAN DER VENNE, 9. Jamie MACLAREN, 10. Florin BERENGUER, 13. Aiden O’NEILL, 14. Valon BERISHA, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 16. Taras GOMULKA, 18. Jordon HALL, 22. Curtis GOOD, 23. Marco TILIO, 25. Callum TALBOT, 33. Matthew SUTTON (GK), 37. Max CAPUTO, 38. Jordan BOS.
Western United
1. Jamie YOUNG (gk), 4. Leo LACROIX, 5. Dylan PIERIAS, 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Tongo DOUMBIA, 8. Lachlan WALES, 9. Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 10. Steven LUSTICA, 11. Connor PAIN, 14. James TROISI, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 19. Joshua RISDON (c), 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 26. Nicolas MILANOVIC, 27. Jacob TRATT, 37. Ryan SCOTT (gk), 38. Noah BOTIC, 44. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 88. Neil KILKENNY, 99. Aleksandar PRIJOVIC.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Great game that was definitely tv worthy. I hope your wife is as critical of your performances as you are of the A Leagues!
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
City with all their big bodies the second half will be their issue. United seem to have now adopted playing out from the back, and defend higher but not with a lot of pressing. I think its not a good formula, they are better defending and counter attacking. Troisi well the commentators seem to think he was good, he was easily dispossed, he doesn't win any ball, a few good passes but also bad ones when there was a good opportunity. Dounbai seems to be very much a back and sideways passer and really I think Kilkenny is a lot better deeper. They had an opportunity to get a good player in to replace Diamanti instead somehow they kept Diamanti. The only good thing was despite them having such a poor match it was 2-1 only. Risdon with the struggles at right back for the Socceroos that performance has cost him any chance, West United will struggle this season. City have issues in the second half they get tired and then have problems. Berisha I thought he was ok, looks more a central midfielder, bit nutty like the other Berisha and he is another largish player who runs out of steam in the second half.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Not a bad game
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Nope, tipped City. But thought young Leo would continue from last season with his sterling play. Instead, he was rubbish tonight.
Texi
Roar Rookie
You had the United win too, right?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Well done to Texi for a ripping call and tune in tomorrow on the Roar for the Big Blue in front of what looks like being a 30,000+ crowd at Allianz Stadium.
Texi
Roar Rookie
Ooh you're good.
Texi
Roar Rookie
Well, he definitely should have scored.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Mic drop!!!!!
Texi
Roar Rookie
Berisha giving the reporter some colourful language though!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Only I could have included Lacroix in my fantasy team for round 1...........kiss of death Thomas strikes again.
Tigertown
Guest
Cheers, Texi. Pleased to see a sneaky WU goal. Congratulations to City.
Texi
Roar Rookie
He's the ultimate wildcard joker. You never know what you'll get. He did show good feet at one point.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Dire game, Dire crowd, not a neutral friendly game and not tv worthy
Texi
Roar Rookie
FULL TIME : A late fightback not enough for a share of the spoils for Western United, but it wouldn't have been deserved. City ran out of steam at the end, but could and should have wrapped it up at the end. Thanks for joining The Roar for the season opener. That was fun! Melbourne City 2 Western United 1
Full Time NSD
Guest
Good season opening game of football.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Thanks Texi
Texi
Roar Rookie
95' That's it! Game over. What drama at the end. Turns out that Tilio can't score tap ins. Dramatic finish to the game as Leo Lacroix does his best to concede another. Melbourne City 2 Western United 1
Texi
Roar Rookie
94' Wow. What a sequence. Lacroix having a mare. Maclaren to Tilio must score. O'Niell shoots. Young great save. Melbourne City 2 Western United 1
92'