Western United and Melbourne City meet in a two-legged Semi-Final that appears to be a coin flip after a season where they were separated by a single point over 26 rounds. aleagues.com.au previews a fascinating final four match-up.
In a season where Western United smashed their club record for most goals scored, there is one hole in their attacking CV and it looms large ahead of this weekend’s Semi-Final.
Across two meetings in 2024-25, they did not score a goal against Melbourne City.
Ahead of a two-legged showdown in the final four, John Aloisi’s tactics will be under the microscope as he attempts to find a route through a City rearguard who conceded the fewest goals of any Isuzu UTE A-League side this term (26).
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Fortunately, the Western boss has plenty of weapons at his disposal, with his primary goal source Noah Botic rocketing back into form with a hat-trick in the Elimination Final.
Historically, Western’s goal drought against Aurelio Vidmar’s side goes back 337 minutes to Michael Ruhs’ strike back in January 2024. It will be fascinating to see if Aloisi sticks with Ruhs, who has started each of the last four matches in place of Hiroshi Ibusuki.
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“Melbourne City has had the edge over Western this season. I think they’ve won both of their games, 2-0, 1-0. Western United hasn’t scored too many goals historically against Melbourne City as well, which is something I’m sure they’ll be on their mind,” former A-Leagues winger Tommy Oar said on this week’s episode of Total A-Leagues.
“I think in this game we can expect Melbourne City to probably have the lion’s share of possession, and Western United look to counter attack.
“I think it will be interesting to see what Western United does in terms of who’s going to play with Botic up front. They’ve obviously got (Hiroshi) Ibusuki, who came off the bench last game, and Michael Ruhs as well.
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“He’s done really well since coming in, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Michael Ruhs keep his spot in the starting lineup, just because his mobility in terms of in transition could be a good asset for them.
“Melbourne City, when they have looked defensively frail this season, it has been in transition. It’ll be interesting. Obviously over two legs as well, I think both teams will probably be a little bit cautious in their approach to the first game.”
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Indeed, that is the big call looming for Aloisi amid what is a well-settled starting XI.
Western’s youthful core has been an asset all season; with Botic, Matt Grimaldi, Rhys Bozinovski and teen revelation Dylan Leonard all playing key roles in driving their side to a third-placed finish and into this Semi-Final.
Yet, there is a balance thanks to the experience of midfield mainstay Angus Thurgate, ever-present defensive rock Tomoki Imai, a reborn Riku Danzaki and captain Ben Garuccio.
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On the other side of the ledger is a Melbourne City side whose accomplishments in the face of a slew of high-profile injuries is something that arguably deserves more plaudits.
Having lost the likes of Steven Ugarkovic, Andreas Kuen, Yonatan Cohen, James Jeggo, Andrew Nabbout, Mathew Leckie and Marco Tilio for large chunks of this season, City’s academy-produced next generation has not only plugged the gap, but excelled.
Medin Memeti, Max Caputo, Lawrence Wong and Kavian Rahmani have enjoyed breakout seasons, while Patrick Beach hasn’t missed a minute in goal.
City finished the regular season in style with a 5-1 demolition of Sydney FC and will enter this tie with confidence, particularly given the form of Marco Tilio, the leadership of Aziz Behich and the solidity of a defensive pairing featuring German Ferreyra and Kai Trewin.
That’s before you mention the X-factor of Mathew Leckie who, when fit, is arguably the best player in the Isuzu UTE A-League, perhaps even more so since being reborn in midfield.
“It’s going to be a great game no matter what. They’re very evenly matched. It’s going to be fascinating,” City legend Thomas Sorensen said on A-Leagues Download.
“I think that front line is definitely going to threaten. I think Ferreira and Trewin have developed a good relationship. I think actually, they’ve got the most clean sheets. Beach has done well, you got Leckie back on the bench, and they’ve got options.
“In-form Tilio… he’s a game breaker. And you know that, you know, I think him and Kuen, I think that, you know, if Western United can sort of contain, they’re gonna definitely create chances down the other end.
“I think there’ll be some very, very exciting matchups. It’ll be very tight game over two legs.”
Asked who would win the game, former A-Leagues midfielder Naum Sekulovski said: “I want to jump on Western United. I think they’ve got a really, really strong chance.
“If they can keep the boys up front quiet, Tilio, Kuen, obviously, Max Caputo, they’re always, always going to create chances.”
Watch Western United host Melbourne City in the Semi-Final first leg this Friday night at AAMI Park from 7:35pm AEST. Watch live on Paramount+.
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