Melbourne City have fired a warning shot to the A-League Men competition and earned a slice of revenge for last season’s grand final defeat with a 2-1 win over Western United in their season opener.
A dominant City celebrated captain Scott Jamieson’s 300th ALM appearance in style, courtesy of two uncharacteristic errors from star United central defender Leo Lacroix.
The Swiss centre-back and Tomoki Imai combined for a calamitous own goal in the 38th minute, while Jamie Maclaren pinched the ball off Lacroix for City’s second in the 59th.
United substitute Nicolas Milanovic scored a consolation goal in the 92nd minute but City were otherwise dominant.
City’s attacking press was exceptional while new signing Valon Berisha and Socceroos winger Mat Leckie looked a class above throughout at AAMI Park.
United rarely threatened despite City missing regular centre-backs Nuno Reis (hamstring) and Curtis Good (knock) and playmaker Florin Berenguer (hamstring).
United recruit James Troisi forced a good, low save from Tom Glover in the opening minute.
In the 13th minute, Maclaren tapped home at the back post but after a VAR referral, referee Shaun Evans controversially struck out the goal, ruling Berisha had gone into Ben Garuccio’s back in the lead-up.
On the half-hour mark, Glover brilliantly denied Lacroix’s glancing header from a Neil Kilkenny free kick.
Eight minutes later, City broke through.
Andrew Nabbout headed a Leckie cross on target and Imai’s header off the line went straight up in the air.
Then, in another attempt to clear the ball, Lacroix headed the ball into Imai and over the line.
Maclaren doubled City’s lead 14 minutes into the second half when he caught Lacroix dawdling on a pass, nipped the ball away and coolly scored.
Imai was substituted off with an upper body injury at halftime while new City signing, defender Thomas Lam, was forced off in the 65th.
Milanovic provided an injury-time highlight when he chested the ball down and rifled it into the bottom corner.
City celebrated Scott Jamieson’s 300th game in style despite the captain being forced into centre-back, after regular central defenders Nuno Reis (hamstring) and Curtis Good (knock) withdrew.
Playmaker Florin Berenguer (hamstring) was also sidelined.
“We had to make a few changes last-minute but it was great adaption from the team,” Kisnorbo told reporters.
“They showed great character, great fight and I was happy with the performance tonight.
“There’s never a dull moment as a football coach. Unfortunately, we had a couple of hiccups.
“Last minute change and end of the day, we put Jamo back and I thought the adaption was fantastic from the collective.
“Nothing really changed, the character, for me, was really good and the players deserve the credit for tonight.”
