A-League Men semi-final second leg
Friday, May 19, AAMI Park, 7.45pm
TV live on Network 10 and Paramount+
LIKELY TEAMS
Sydney FC (4-3-3): Redmayne; Grant, Rodwell, Wilkinson, King; Brattan, Caceres, Retre; Mak, Le Fondre, Burgess.
Melbourne City (4-3-3): Glover; Talbot, Reis, Good, Bos; Berenguer, O’Neill, van der Venne; Leckie, Maclaren, Tilio.
IN THE DUGOUT
Steve Corica (Sydney FC) – Has masterminded a terrific turnaround across the back end of the season, which now includes an unbroken run of seven matches without defeat. Sydney hasn’t won away to Melbourne City in almost five years, but they have had recent success at AAMI Park against other Victorian opposition, so it’s certainly not outside of the realms of possibility that the Sky Blues can upset the apple cart once more – and if they do, a grand final in their home city awaits.
Rado Vidosic (Melbourne City) – Expressed supreme confidence after the first leg that Melbourne City would get the job done at home, having already proved to all and sundry they were the A-League’s best team by finishing top of the ladder. The proof will be in the pudding. Aiden O’Neill’s expected return from injury will be a huge bonus and stiffen up a midfield that was beaten at Allianz Stadium. Needs to ensure Socceroo Jamie Maclaren, who had just 13 touches last Friday night, is involved more in the game.