CITY INSIDER: v Western United - 7/1/23

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CITY IN THE NEW YEAR

City came away with all three points thanks to a 3-1 win against Wellington Phoenix over in New Zealand earlier this week, with goalscoring machine Jamie Maclaren scoring another double.

Maclaren claimed the outright A-Leagues record for goals scored in consecutive games, with City’s number 9 converting from the spot early in the second half after Socceroos teammate Marco Tilio won the penalty.

It was Maclaren again in the thick of the action for City deep into stoppage time, tapping in a lovely weighted pass from Andrew Nabbout to clinch the victory against a spirited Wellington side.

As City now turns it attention to the weekend’s clash against Western United, it will be hoping it can replicate the well-rounded performance shown on Monday.

The team has enjoyed consistency both on and off the pitch, with Head Coach Rado Vidosic able to name the same starting XI over the past three fixtures.

The only real concern ahead of this weekend’s clash will be the injury

cloud hanging over defender Curtis Good, after the defender had to be subbed off at half time due to a knock on Monday.

It’s set to be business as usual up front for City however, with our dynamic front three of Leckie, Maclaren and Tilio continuing to dominate opposition defensive lines.

Coming up against a side that has conceded the most goals of any team this season in Western United, City’s attacking threats will no doubt be presented with plenty of opportunities in front of goal should the midfield fire on all cylinders once again.

The past three meetings have seen one of each possible result occur, although taking out the Round 1 clash this season, City hadn’t won in its five past attempts against Western.

The now 10th placed United comes into Saturday’s clash off an eightday turnaround following their 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar back on December 30.

DANGER PLAYER

ALEKSANDAR PRIJOVIC

There’s been a pretty clear correlation between Western United’s return to form and the fitness of Aleksander Prijovic. Put simply, the green and black had just one point to show from its first five games, and then in the five games since the Serbian striker returned, its managed to pick up 10 points (W3, L1, D1). The goals (3) from Prijovic have of course helped, but what can’t be understated is his impact on the way the team plays. Western’s crossing numbers have gone through the roof since his return, while the bail out option he provides to his teammates behind him have been huge in releasing the pressure on its defenders.

Melbourne City will return to AAMI Park for the first time in 2023 when they face Western United this Saturday.

Richard Van Der Venne

Raphael Borges Rodrigues

Jamie

BACK FROM THE BREAK

After a 10-day break

City enjoyed an extended break after three matches in 10 days, but is now faced with another three fixtures in an even shorter timeframe.

First up our City Women will be looking to extend their win streak to three matches when they travel to take on Western Sydney.

Last time out saw a hard-fought 1-0 win over Perth Glory thanks to an Emina Ekic second half penalty.

Although City had the ball for large parts of the game, finishing with 72% possession, it was only able to generate four shots on target on a warm Melbourne night.

Given the squads now fresh after the break, Dario Vidosic will be hoping to see his team full of energy on Sunday afternoon. One player who unfortunately won’t be out there is Ekic after she fractured her fibula just minutes after scoring what was ultimately the winner against Perth.

Vidosic has been very consistent with his line-ups so far this season, but now will face a big call on who he brings into the XI to replace the American.

Rhianna Pollicina will almost certainly return to the starting line-up this weekend, so a change of shape to allow her, Leticia McKenna and Daniella Galic to all play in the same XI could be an option.

There also may be the potential for a change at the back, with Matildas duo Karly Roestbakken and Emma Checker now fully fit and firing.

The Wanderers have struggled in front of goal this season having scored an equal league-worst three goals. Although they remain winless after six matches, they were able to pick up their first point of the season earlier this week in Wellington.

Vidosic and his City squad of course won’t be taking them lightly, but will again be looking to dominate the possession and create plenty of goal-scoring chances.

After making her first appearance of the season against Perth, Hannah Wilkinson will be eyeing off her first goal of the season. The New Zealand international currently sits on 14 goals for the club, just three behind Jess Fishlock’s City Women’s record of 17.

WOMEN PREVIEW

DANGER PLAYER

AMY HARRISON

It’s been a tough start to the season for the Wanderers, but there’s still plenty of quality across their line-up that City will have to be wary of tomorrow. One such player is Matildas midfielder Amy Harrison who has been one of the shining lights in Western Sydney so far this season. She’s made 13 appearances for the national team and is now back in red and black after spending time with PSV in the Netherlands. Harrison has played 11 key passes so far this season with one resulting in an assist, while she’s also found the back of the net once herself.

between games, top of the table Melbourne City will return to the pitch in the A-League Women this Sunday afternoon.

MACLAREN: IT’S NOT LUCK

Jamie Maclaren is chasing history this season, with the City number nine in the midst of a remarkable scoring run.

Last time out he claimed the outright A-Leagues record for most consecutive scoring games (9), and now he has more records in sight.

“Coming into every single game I always have the belief that I want to score goals and I work hard to improve,” he said, “Now here I am with a record that I’m pretty proud of.”

He’ll now turn his attention to overtaking Besart Berisha’s all-time A-Leagues goalscoring record of 142 goals in which he’s just 10 away, while also looking to become the first City player to score 100 goals (currently on 89).

“I think going into this season I was 22 goals off him (Berisha) and I had scored more than 22 goals in previous seasons, so I knew that I needed to just keep putting myself in the right positions and stay healthy,” Maclaren said.

“With 10 goals to go and obviously more than 10 games left in the season, at this point in time I’ve been going at a goal a game.”

Maclaren credited the work of his teammates and the chemistry amongst the group as one of the key reasons behind his goalscoring feats.

“You saw in my second goal against Wellington, it was almost like myself, Andy (Nabbout) and Lecks (Mathew Leckie) were on the same page once we crossed the line on the counterattack” Maclaren said, “We’ve built that, it’s not luck.”

As for the rest of the season, Maclaren said that while personal accolades are always nice, he and his teammates will continue to turn their attention to bringing more silverware to the club in 2023.

“Now I find myself in a great position with this football club who have looked after me fantastically and we are on the verge of history, but at the same time there’s still got a long way to go to reach that, so I’ve got my head down and will keep working hard every day.”

I’VE ALWAYS PRIDED MYSELF ON PUTTING MYSELF IN THE RIGHT AREAS AND I HAVE DONE THAT IN THE A-LEAGUE SINCE I SCORED MY FIRST GOAL.

HOW DO OUR CITY WOMEN NAVIGATE A BUSY SCHEDULE?

If three matches in 10 days was a busy schedule, it’s tough to find the right word to describe the upcoming three matches in seven days.

Making matters even more difficult is the fact that they’ll all be played in different states, meaning City will leave Melbourne this Saturday and not return until next Thursday. There will be time for just one training session before the final two matches, meaning Vidosic and his staff will have to keep a close eye on the fitness of the squad.

City’s defence has been as solid as a rock all season, allowing just five goals so far.

It’s been settled for most of the season with the only changes coming at the left full-back position where both Julia Grosso and Chelsea Blissett have received starts.

Although the performances have been great, some big changes could be on their way as Matildas duo Karly Roestbakken and Emma Checker press their cases for a first start of the season.

Given the tight schedule ahead, you’d imagine both will see starting minutes at some point in the next week.

One potential way to squeeze an extra defender in could be a move to playing a back five which has been familiar over the past few seasons.

Regardless of how its done in the end squad rotation will have to be key over the next week. One player we haven’t seen much of this season through injury, Darcey Malone, could see some starting minutes at some point, while young striker Caitlin Karic will also be pressing her case for a first start of the season.

Given the attacking prowess City has shown in 2022/23 through, Vidosic may prefer to stick with that extra number further up the pitch.

BY THE TIME CITY NAVIGATES THIS TRICKY PERIOD, IT’LL ALMOST BE AT THE HALFWAY POINT OF THE SEASON. THERE’S A HIGH CHANCE THAT THIS RUN OF FIXTURES WILL BE SEASON-DEFINING, AND YOU CAN GUARANTEE OUR CITY WOMEN ARE AFTER NO LESS THAN NINE POINTS.