City Views – The Fixture

 

Grab the red pen and calendar; the A-League fixtures are out.  For Melbourne City fans we have a few obvious things to adjust to; new name, new kit, and a new identity are just a few on the list.

First glance at the fixture and some answers need to be answered.

• Who do we open the season against?         Sydney
• When do we play our first home game?       19^th October
• When do we play Victory?                            25^th October, 20^th December, 7^th February

This season has an extra special question, ‘Who do we play in our first 10 games?’  We all know Spanish superstar David Villa is coming to Melbourne before he joins fellow City Football Group club New York City FC.  We have a ten game window to see him play as he joins the league on a ‘guest player’ visa.

Many claim the opener in Sydney has ‘FFA’ written all over it, but we shouldn’t be too caught up on this factor.  Playing Sydney first up is a good thing for the club.  Both clubs were a long way from competing with the better teams last season, but Sydney will be far stronger under Graham Arnold.  Playing Sydney early whilst they are still developing to Arnold’s playing style can only be beneficial.  Some fans will be comforted by the fact City will play their first official game in red and white stripes.

Our opening home game is on a Sunday afternoon against a new look Newcastle Jets.  The 3pm kickoff will be the perfect time for families to attend, and an important date to mark down.  October 19^th will be a historic day for the club, let’s hope City can better the first home appearance as Melbourne Heart.

Six days later we travel to Etihad Stadium, not only the home of Melbourne Victory, but the major sponsor of parent club Manchester City.  This will be the first of many Victory/City derbies and should be an absolute belter.  It will be interesting to see the banter between the two sets of fans, and also how Victory setup with Berisha and Archie.  Expect a large crowd, and some great ratings on Fox Sports.

Fans don’t have to wait long for the second derby of the season, with the traditional Christmas derby remaining.  Expect the ‘Sold Out’ sign to be up at AAMI Park on December 20^th, a Saturday night no football supporter in Melbourne should miss.  The superior atmosphere at AAMI will only add to the event, and will be a true highlight of the season.  Expect this to be the final appearance of David Villa for the club.  This will be the eleventh match of the season, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the marketing department are able to convince the coaching staff to leave him out of one of the early games.  Wellington fans could be the unlucky recipients.

This will ensure Villa plays twice against Melbourne Victory, and makes it to New York just in time for a White Christmas and to see the ball drop at Time Square.

March is the toughest month of the season and contains the mysterious ‘Round 9’ fixture.  City starts the month at Gosford playing against Mariners who are tough to beat at home.  Marcos Flores and his Jets visit the AAMI Park on the 15^th before a five day break and a Friday night blockbuster against fellow sky blue club Sydney.  Expect this encounter to be tougher than the season opener with Arnold having 20+ games with his squad.  The month ends with a tough midweek trip to Adelaide and the premiers Brisbane on the 28^th.  If City can survive this horror month, followed by a trip to Western Sydney on April 3^rd this will put them in great stead for a finals appearance.

Due to Australia hosting the Asian cup City won’t play any matches between January 4^th and February 1^st.  A midseason break will be a challenge facing all clubs for the first time.  It will be interesting to see how the various clubs manage the players not participating over this time.  The four week break will increase the congestion at the final part of the season.  City encounter seven short breaks (five days or less) during the season.

For many City fans the season presents many questions, but very few answers at this stage.  Players and Supporters new and old will need to quickly embrace the new identify of the club.

The fixture presents fans an opportunity to live in hope of a successful season ahead.  Only one thing is assured, #MelbourneCityIsComing.

City Views will be my Melbourne City column for Season 2014/15 and beyond.  The posts will appear sporadic at first, but will be a weekly format once the season starts. 

2014/15 Fixture – Thanks to www.ultimatealeague.com

2014-15	1	Saturday October 11, 2014	Allianz Stadium	–	Sydney FC Melbourne City			»
2014-15	2	Sunday October 19, 2014	AAMI Park	–	Melbourne City Newcastle Jets			»
2014-15	3	Saturday October 25, 2014	Etihad Stadium	–	Melbourne Victory Melbourne City			»
2014-15	4	Friday October 31, 2014	AAMI Park	–	Melbourne City Adelaide United			»
2014-15	5	Saturday November 8, 2014	Suncorp Stadium	–	Brisbane Roar Melbourne City			»
2014-15	6	Sunday November 16, 2014	AAMI Park	–	Melbourne City Central Coast Mariners			»
2014-15	7	Saturday November 22, 2014	AAMI Park	–	Melbourne City Sydney FC			»
2014-15	8	Sunday November 30, 2014	Westpac Stadium	–	Wellington Phoenix Melbourne City			»
2014-15	10	Sunday December 7, 2014	AAMI Park	–	Melbourne City Brisbane Roar			»
2014-15	11	Saturday December 13, 2014	Pirtek Stadium	–	Western Sydney Wanderers Melbourne City			»
2014-15	12	Saturday December 20, 2014	AAMI Park	–	Melbourne City Melbourne Victory			»
2014-15	13	Friday December 26, 2014	AAMI Park	–	Melbourne City Perth Glory			»
2014-15	14	Tuesday December 30, 2014	Hunter Stadium	–	Newcastle Jets Melbourne City			»
2014-15	15	Sunday January 4, 2015	Central Coast Stadium	–	Central Coast Mariners Melbourne City			»
2014-15	16	Sunday February 1, 2015	AAMI Park	–	Melbourne City Western Sydney Wanderers			»
2014-15	17	Saturday February 7, 2015	Etihad Stadium	–	Melbourne Victory Melbourne City			»
2014-15	18	Saturday February 14, 2015	TBC	–	Wellington Phoenix Melbourne City			»
2014-15	19	Sunday February 22, 2015	AAMI Park	–	Melbourne City Perth Glory			»
2014-15	20	Friday February 27, 2015	AAMI Park	–	Melbourne City Adelaide United			»
2014-15	21	Sunday March 8, 2015	Central Coast Stadium	–	Central Coast Mariners Melbourne City			»
2014-15	22	Sunday March 15, 2015	AAMI Park	–	Melbourne City Newcastle Jets			»
2014-15	23	Friday March 20, 2015	Allianz Stadium	–	Sydney FC Melbourne City			»
2014-15	9	Wednesday March 25, 2015	Coopers Stadium	–	Adelaide United Melbourne City			»
2014-15	24	Saturday March 28, 2015	AAMI Park	–	Melbourne City Brisbane Roar			»
2014-15	25	Friday April 3, 2015	Pirtek Stadium	–	Western Sydney Wanderers Melbourne City			»
2014-15	26	Sunday April 12, 2015	AAMI Park	–	Melbourne City Wellington Phoenix			»
2014-15	27	Sunday April 19, 2015	NIB Stadium	–	Perth Glory Melbourne City

 

 

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