The number of Melbourne City’s doubters are slowly dwindling.
With a swashbuckling style, determined spirit and defensive solidity to match, John van’t Schip’s well-oiled machine is primed for an assault on the A-League finals series.
Gone are the days of the ‘second Melbourne side’ label – this unit is striving for bigger things and aims not only to be the biggest in its own state, but the country too. The manner in which the title-hopefuls swept away Wellington Phoenix last night was nothing short of comprehensive, done without key defender Alex Wilkinson and talisman Aaron Mooy.
It was the kind of no-frills performance that champions can so easily manage. Which other A-League side could shrug off the loss of its best midfielder and central-defender before strolling towards a 3-0 win? Hint, such a side does not exist.
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Malik’s presence gives City’s dazzlers solidity
City’s upward trend has coincided with Osama Malik’s rise as a positive force at the base of midfield. The 25-year-old’s performances have been put into the spotlight with Stefan Mauk, the other player involved in January’s swap deal with Adelaide United, having shown vast improvement. While this kind of talk is unavoidable, neither City nor Malik will be regretting the move.
His traits as a defensive-midfielder are crucial for a side that lost Erik Paartalu in the January window. Like Wilkinson, fluidity did not come instantly in the new environment, but it shows no signs of dissipating now. After stifling Adelaide in round 23, his performances since have been similarly assured.
The threat of merciless duo, Fornaroli and Novillo
Defence aside, who could deny the brilliance of City in attack? Bruno Fornaroli added two goals to his already record-breaking season, in what was a relatively profligate performance by the Uruguayan. The scooped pass to tee up Harry Novillo for a scintillating opener was nothing short of world class.
Scoop and volley City featuring @BFornaroli and @novillo_harry!#ThisIsOurCity pic.twitter.com/qg5lLcvY9B
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) March 28, 2016
The conversation has well and truly begun as to whether Fornaroli is the best ever import – forget that – if he lifts City to the title, it will be the single best season of any player in the competition’s history.
Novillo’s return from suspension has seen the Frenchman add much needed consistency to his performances. While the goals have not flowed in the same vein as his strike partner, the Martinique international is a constant threat, either directly at goal, or showcasing his abilities as a playmaker with incisive passes and movement.
SIX records were broken last night as City and @BFornaroli marched their way into the record books. #ThisIsOurCity pic.twitter.com/eUoE9VKQmE
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) March 29, 2016
Renewed mental strength
Fragility in big moments has plagued the Melbourne Heart/City franchise. It has shown signs of reappearing this season, when as recent as February City slumped to a costly 2-1 defeat against Wellington. The A-League’s rich kids blew the chance to go top then, but have since won three on the trot to skip marginally ahead of the pack – level on points with Brisbane Roar. But with an insurmountable goal difference of +44, that stat at this stage of the season acts as a pseudo-additional point.
Since the disappointing result in round 21, Dimitri Petratos’s left-footed screamer marks the only instance when Thomas Sorensen’s net has been breached. With City 1-0 down at home, and facing more questions over the ability to overcome adversity, Mooy capitalised from the spot following Fornaroli’s brilliant turn on Roar defender Jack Hingert to earn a penalty and red card for the custodian, before Anthony Caceres and Nick Fitzgerald decided the result with a pair of late goals.
Strength in depth
For a side with class all over the pitch, it would be assumed that in most instances depth is sacrificed. Jack Clisby, Paolo Retre and Jacob Melling were summoned from the bench against Wellington, while former Liverpool and Western Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis, and promising youth striker Marc Marino had to be content with roles as unused substitutes.
Thanks for coming tonight @NoelGallagher!
Now the real question, @BFornaroli or @aguerosergiokun? 😉😝 #together pic.twitter.com/rChWYcTJRZ
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) March 28, 2016
James Brown and Jason Trifiro could not even break into the side after being named in the extended squad last Thursday.
These selection headaches will be welcomed by van’t Schip and his assistants, who for too long possessed a squad that lacked drive, depth and overall quality, but the times are clearly changing.
Can Melbourne City win it all? Of course they can.
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