Melbourne City and Sydney FC are set to go head-to-head at AAMI Park in the A-League’s 2021 Grand Final, with kick-off at 5:05pm AEDT. The Sky Blues seek to become the first three-peat A-League Champions, while City are out to claim its first A-League title.
The reigning champions, Sydney FC will be looking to secure a sixth A-League title, and creating the first dynasty side in the A-League’s 16-year history, while head coach Steve Corica looks to win keep his rate of a title per season he’s coached running.
The side stumbled out of the gates at the start of the season but finished the home and away season strongly to finish the season second on the table. Having made quick work of Adelaide United 2-1 in last week’s semi-final, the Sky Blues come into Saturday’s clash full of momentum having gone the past seven games unbeaten.
Historically, Sydney are the most successful side in the competition with five titles. Winning title number six this Saturday, their third on the bounce will not doubt put them in the history books at the greatest team of the A-League era thus far.
Their opposite Melbourne City will be out in search of its first title and only its second trophy to add to the cabinet. Coach of the Year Patrick Kisnorbo guided his side to the club’s first Premiership Plate, with the side finishing on top of the table with a club record 49 points. Kisnorbo will look to mirror his opposite Corica and win a grand final in his first season as a head coach.
The Melburnian outfit were the standout side of the competition, spearheaded by prolific forward Jamie Maclaren who scored 25 goals. In his absence due to international duties with the Socceroos, forwards Marco Tilio and Stefan Colakovski have stepped up, both of whom scored in last week’s semi-final over Macarthur FC.
Despite having to play a ‘home’ semi-final in NSW last week due to Victoria being in lockdown, City have been given the green light to play the grand final at AAMI Park and look to cap off its best ever season at home in front of the faithful.
The sides met twice in the regular season, with City claiming a 3-2 victory back in February, the sides then shared points in a 1-1 draw in April. Both sides will be hoping to come out on top when it matters in third meeting on Saturday.
Image Supplied: Melbourne City
