Outside90 takes a look at the A-League finals contenders. Melbourne City have endured a stop-start campaign, but could they make their first finals series a memorable one?
Form
It has been a stuttering campaign for Melbourne City, with each positive run of results quickly ruined by a series of unsatisfactory performances. Not only that, but unbalanced recruitment has created a myriad of problems that was compounded by a raft of injuries.
A lack of fullbacks saw winger Iain Ramsay often drafted into left-back, while the club finished the season with central defender Kew Jaliens, signed mid-season from Newcastle Jets, the side’s starting right-back. International superstar David Villa was unable to provide any sustained impact in his four games and his early departure left City devoid of a striker with pedigree until Josh Kennedy’s arrival in January.
However, neither of the club’s marquees impressed. Both Kennedy and Robert Koren endured injury troubles throughout the season, and the Slovenian international was eternally displaced from his preferred position due to the incredible form of Aaron Mooy.
Central defenders Connor Chapman and Patrick Kisnorbo have been fairly consistent across this season, while goalkeeper Tando Velaphi has looked renewed since displacing Andrew Redmayne as first-choice in goal.
Key Player – Aaron Mooy
Aaron Mooy has been head and shoulders above the rest of his teammates all season, scoring seven goals in 25 appearances. The midfielder was desperately unlucky to miss out on selection for the Socceroos’ Asian Cup squad, but rather than dropping off his level of performance, Mooy redoubled his efforts to lead his side into the finals for the first time.
The 24-year-old’s sublime form has effectively ended Robert Koren’s chances of playing centrally, with the international marquee forced out to the flanks in order to accommodate for Mooy in the middle behind the strikers. His range of passing has been fully exhibited this season, making seven assists for the season. This tally is only bettered by the Victory’s Fahid Ben Khalfallah and Sergio Cirio of Adelaide United.
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Prediction
Melbourne City travel across the Tasman in first week of the finals, taking on the Phoenix at Westpac Stadium. The two sides drew nil-all at AAMI Park in the final rounds of the season and even though the Kiwi side finished several points clear on the table, John van’t Schip’s side would be hopeful of an upset.
Should the revamped club secure a first finals victory in its history, it is difficult to see them progressing any further. Sydney FC and the Victory possess the most complete squads in the competition, while City have a strong core but very little else.
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