Sacha Pisani

2 years ago

Isuzu UTE A-League 2022-23: Melbourne City guide

Head coach: Patrick Kisnorbo

2021-22 position: 1st (Runners-up)

Champions in 2020-21, City claimed back-to-back Premierships but were unable to defend their Championship title in the Grand Final.

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Commentator’s call

Michael Zappone

“Their squad is one of the strongest we’ve seen in the A-League, and the players they’ve brought in this season are impressive.

“It will be a completely different midfield. Rostyn Griffiths and Connor Metcalfe are gone, so how they manage those three new players in Richard van der Venne, Thomas Lam and Valon Berisha will be key in the first part of the season. 

If you’re looking for an early contender for the Johnny Warren medal, Berisha has the credentials to the best in the league and could be outstanding for them this year.

“City will feel like they’ve got something to prove, and I think they’ll finish in the top two.”

Ex-player’s view

Ivan Franjic

“Melbourne City have been the benchmark in recent seasons, qualifying for three successive Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Finals.

“I don’t think they need to improve much. Yet star signing Valon Berisha could take them to another level.

“I’ve watched a lot of him in Serie A with Lazio, he’s an very interesting player. Very skilful and technical. He can create and score and that could provide a lethal x-factor to an already potent attack.

“This team has been together a while, and they gel well together.

“Coach Paddy Kisnorbo has got them organised, he’s a strong leader and there is plenty of quality, especially the attack. The Socceroos front three of Jamie Maclaren, Mathew Leckie and Marco Tilio plus Andrew Nabbout and Florin Berenguer.

They’ll be thereabouts once again come finals time. Top two definitely, and fighting for top spot. I believe City will be in the Grand Final. But finals are a different ball game – a bad game and you’re out.

“Maclaren is the one to watch. Year in year out he’s scoring 20-plus goals.”

Signings: Callum Talbot (Sydney FC), Richard van der Venne (RKC Waalwijk), Arion Sulemani (promoted), Emin Durakovic (promoted), Thomas Lam (CSKA Sofia), Valon Berisha (Stade de Reims – loan)

Departures: Stefan Colakovski (Perth Glory), Carl Jenkinson (Nottingham Forest – end of loan), Tsubasa Endoh, Anthony Lesiotis, Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli), Manuel Pucciarelli, Rostyn Griffiths (Mumbai City)

Re-signings: Matthew Sutton

Fixtures:

RDDATEMATCHVENUEK.O (AEDT)
1Friday, 7 October 2022Melbourne City v Western UnitedAAMI Park7.45pm
2Friday, 14 October 2022Brisbane Roar v Melbourne CitySuncorp Stadium7.45pm
3Saturday, 22 October 2022Melbourne Victory v Melbourne CityAAMI Park7.45pm
4Sunday, 30 October 2022Melbourne City v Wellington PhoenixAAMI Park5.00pm
5Saturday, 5 November 2022Melbourne City v Perth GloryAAMI Park5.00pm
6Saturday, 12 November 2022Newcastle Jets v Melbourne CityMcDonald Jones Stadium5.00pm
7Saturday, 10 December 2022Sydney FC v Melbourne CityAllianz Stadium7.45pm
8Saturday, 17 December 2022Melbourne City v Melbourne VictoryAAMI Park7.45pm
9Tuesday, 27 December 2022Melbourne City v Central Coast MarinersAAMI Park5.00pm
10Monday, 2 January 2023Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne CitySky Stadium1.00pm
11Saturday, 7 January 2023Melbourne City v Wester UnitedAAMI Park7.45pm
12Sunday, 15 January 2023Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne CityCommBank Stadium3.00pm
13Saturday, 21 January 2023Brisbane Roar v Melbourne CityMoreton Daily Stadium7.45pm
14Sunday, 29 January 2023Melbourne City v Adelaide UnitedAAMI Park3.00pm
15Saturday, 4 February 2023Melbourne City v Macarthur FCAAMI Park5.00pm
16Saturday, 11 February 2023Perth Glory v Melbourne CityMacedonia Park10.30pm
17Saturday, 18 February 2023Melbourne Victory v Melbourne CityAAMI Park7.45pm
18Saturday, 25 February 2023Melbourne City v Sydney FCAAMI Park5.00pm
19Friday, 3 March 2023Adelaide United v Melbourne CityCoopers Stadium7.45pm
20Sunday, 12 March 2023Melbourne City v Brisbane RoarAAMI Park3.00pm
21Sunday, 19 March 2023Macarthur FC v Melbourne CityCampbelltown Stadium3.00pm
22Sunday, 2 April 2023Melbourne City v Newcastle JetsAAMI Park3.00pm
23Monday, 10 April 2023Melbourne City v Wellington PhoenixAAMI Park4.00pm
24Saturday, 15 April 2023Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne CityCentral Coast Stadium5.00pm
25Saturday, 22 April 2023Western United v Melbourne CityTBC7.45pm
26Friday, 28 April 2023Melbourne City v Western Sydney WanderersAAMI Park7.45pm
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