This weekend sees Melbourne City up against Brisbane Roar in another highly anticipated top of the table battle.
We analyse four clashes to keep an eye on in this must-win game for both sides.
Bruno Fornaroli vs Jamie Maclaren
This game represents a chance for both strikers to take each other on and prove who deserves to be the league’s top goalscorer. With 20 and 17 goals respectively, both players go into the game with goalscoring reputations to uphold. While it will be up to both teams to supply their strikers with the ammunition, there are no other players in the A-League at the moment that one would rather have up front.
Arguably the find of the season, Fornaroli has had a Berisha-type impact on the league, lighting up games and on some occasions, dragging Melbourne City into the winners circle with his exquisite touches and ingenuity. With a league-high 88 shots at goal culminating in 20 goals and four assists, he truly has been the perfect muse for Aaron Mooy. But will he be able to outclass Maclaren?
On the other side, Maclaren has managed to put the disappointment of missing the Socceroos squad behind him through his masterful hat-trick last week. Everything he has touched in front of goal has turned to gold, while his energy and youthful exuberance has been too much for A-League defences to handle. Overall, John Aloisi looks to have made a shrewd off-season purchase, but the question still begs: how long will Maclaren stay in the A-League?
Leaky Defence vs Leaky Defence
At the other end of each team lies the heart of their problems. While City lie only three points off the top of the ladder, they have managed to concede the third-most goals in the league with 38, only beaten by Wellington Phoenix and the Central Coast Mariners with 43 and 56 respectively. For Brisbane Roar, they lie in equal fourth most goals conceded with 34.
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These defences are not good enough to win the league, or so we think. Both teams consist of at least one experienced centre-back. City captain Patrick Kisnorbo and the Roar’s Jade North will be ashamed at how their defences have performed this season. At the heart of Brisbane’s issues has been their inability to rely upon a left-back, as Corey Brown and Shane Steffanuto have alternated. While Daniel Bowles has improved immeasurably, he still seems short of championship quality.
Pundits often say defences win leagues. At this point, it is the attacks of both teams keeping them in the running, but the prospect of a sturdy defence forming for either team instantly improves the clubs into a more daunting prospect.
Aaron Mooy vs Corona
The battles at either end will have a huge say on the final result, but it is in the heart of the midfield where we will see one of the most intriguing battles.
Aaron Mooy has been in imperious form. In many ways, he has been the heartbeat of this City team, typifying the hard-working and clinical nature of the Melbourne team. His 18 assists this season beats second-placed Mark Bridge by 11, while he currently sits at fourth in the league for shots taken, showing his willingness to push forward.
For Brisbane, it comes down to defensive midfielder Corona as the best way for them to stop Mooy. He rivals Fornaroli as the league’s signing of the season, has exquisite passing range and a killer name. He leads the league in passes completed (in which the top 10 consists of five Brisbane players), while he sits at number 13 for tackles per game, mainly due to his ability to intercept a pass.
This game will see the two midfield heavyweights of the league come face to face in a clash that will decide the winner of the game. If Corona can do what no other team has been able to do and shut down Mooy then Brisbane could be in for a win. But should Mooy get a foothold in the game, then Brisbane’s flimsy defence is sure to crumble.
AAMI Park vs Suncorp Stadium
Brisbane’s performance on the road will be key, having won nine of their 12 games at home, only losing once. This compares to their away record which currently sits at five losses, three draws and only three wins in 11 games, a stark contrast to their imperious home form. City’s form sits at around the same level both home and away.
With the home ground advantage playing such a huge role in the outcome of matches both on the scoresheet and mentally, it will be interesting to see if Brisbane can break through that barrier. This could play a huge role in the final moments of the season and beyond, as the closeness of the table means any team could end up with an away play-off.
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