Melbourne City has bounced back from a four-game winless run, defeating in-form Central Coast Mariners by three goals to one.
City made a strong start to the match, capitalising on the movement of their two advanced central midfielders against the Mariners’ stranded double pivot.
They deservedly opened the scoring in the 18th minute, after a wonderful run from Jordon Bos saw his right-footed shot parried by Mark Birighitti.
The Mariners shot-stopper only found the feet of Jamie Maclaren, who clinically struck from close range to give City the lead.
The game evened out in the aftermath, with the Mariners finding an equaliser through a brilliant Urena solo goal.
He capitalised on the space vacated by left-back Bos, making a run in behind before standing up Aiden O’Neill and curling the ball past Tom Glover with his weaker foot.
However, City then made their second breakthrough, after Berenguer overlapped on the left wing, before playing in a pinpoint lofted pass to Andrew Nabbout, who was free at the back post to tap it home.
They furthered their lead through debutant Carl Jenkinson after the Englishmen capitalised on a loose ball in the box from a corner.
Key Takeaways:
URENA SHOWS HIS CLASS
Marco Urena has followed on from his match winning goal with a fantastic solo effort against Melbourne City, making it three goals in five games in the league for the Costa Rican.
But beyond his goalscoring prowess, Urena has shown a unique ability to read the game and position himself effectively in tandem with striker partner Moresche.
In the Mariners’ front four system, there is a heavy dependence on one of the strikers to drop into the pocket to provide an option in between the lines.
Urena and Moreche fill that role perfectly in combination, with one always looking to stretch the play vertically and the other always coming short.
Urena has not only shown his goalscoring class but high-quality movement and vision to make the incisive pass in the final third.
He is continuing to prove to be a highly shrewd signing for the Central Coast through his consistent quality.
TILIO EXCELLING IN CENTRAL ROLE
The development of Marco Tilio has been a raving debate this campaign, with many fans believing the youngster should start ahead of Matthew Leckie, whose performances are currently under major scrutiny.
However, Tilio has been excelling in a more central role, on the right of City’s midfield three.
From these positions, he is able to still use his ability in wide areas with the classic run made by the advanced City midfielders, where they make a run through the inside channel between the winger and striker in behind to receive the ball just outside the box.
His quick acceleration allows him to make the run ahead of his opponent, before advancing on them in a good one on one position where he can look to make a decisive action in a dangerous position.
It also allows him to use his ability in tight, central positions, and his ability to disarm defenders with his body movement, before picking the correct time to slide through a pass.
He set up Jamie Maclaren in this exact instance in the 39th minute, but the Socceroos striker was unable to capitalise on a good chance, with Mark Birighitti producing a good save.
While he remained relatively ominous in the second half, his quality was evident in his little bursts, with a substitution eventually coming in the 73rd minute.
MELBOURNE CITY SHOW THEIR QUALITY
Melbourne City has been winless in their last four games, having drawn three and lost one, albeit with the defeat coming on penalties in the FFA Cup.
However today they showed their quality both in coaching and in their players, particularly in the first half, in their composure and ability to play through the Mariners’ press.
They spaced out the lines perfectly with their verticality from their front three and width from the two wingers, allowing their attacking midfield two of Berenguer and Tilio to flourish with carries in between the lines.
Meanwhile, their consistency in the creation of high-quality chances showed their quality both of their system and individuals – their two shots which ended as their first two goals came from a combined expected goal of 1.06 – while it seems an overperformance, it’s demanding to create chances above around the 0.40 mark.
The Mariners defence was coming off the back of four clean sheets in a row, but City managed to break through their previously cohesive press and create high-quality chances – they finished with an expected goals of 3.36.
It’s a sign of better things to come for City, although it will be a challenge to sustain this attacking play with their trio of Jamie Maclaren, Matthew Leckie and Marco Tilio set to depart for the Socceroos.
FINAL SCORE:
A-League Men Round 10, Central Coast Stadium
Central Coast Mariners 1 (Urena 41m)
Melbourne City 3 (Maclaren 18m, Nabbout 57m, Jenkinson 84m)
HOW DID THE MANAGERS REACT?
Central Coast Mariners: Nick Montgomery
“I’m proud. We had five boys drop out with COVID and we only have a small squad. We didn’t want to call the game off, we wanted to play.”
“I’m disappointed about the goals. I don’t think we defended as well as we have done but we had some tired legs from Tuesday and we have our chances.”
Melbourne City: Patrick Kisnorbo
“There was some good moments and some sloppy moments. Overall, with the circumstances we faced, we showed some great mental strength and character.”
“We’ve done well in our duels today. We won second balls in good positions.”
Image source – Melbourne City
