Melbourne Victory desperate to end Melbourne City’s 11-match unbeaten run

Melbourne Victory’s supporters are set to make it uncomfortable for Melbourne City in Saturday night’s derby.

Victory coach Tony Popovic is confident of a win in the Melbourne derby. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Melbourne Victory coach Tony Popovic has urged his club’s fans to ensure Melbourne City is confronted by a hostile environment in Saturday night’s derby at AAMI Park.

Popovic concedes reigning champion and first-placed City is the A-League’s “benchmark” in terms of recent success and results.

However, the Victory remains superior to City when it comes to the number of supporters and members at each club.

And Popovic wants to make sure that’s a factor this weekend when Victory bids to beat City for the first time in the A-League since December 2019.

“It’s our home game, so we’re looking forward to seeing a lot of our fans and members at the game helping us to achieve our goal and that’s the three points,” Popovic said.

“We want the noise from our fans to be an advantage for us. We want it to be an intimidating atmosphere for Melbourne City.

“With the support from our fans, we want to make sure (Saturday) is the day we can beat them.”

Melbourne Victory coach Tony Popovic has called on his club’s fans to provide an ‘intimidating atmosphere’ for Melbourne City. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images

City is on an 11-match unbeaten run and is fresh from a 4-0 thumping of Sydney FC in the midweek grand final rematch.

However, City is yet to beat the Victory this season, with both matches between the clubs finishing in draws.

“Two very good matches (and) difficult matches,” Popovic said.

“We’ve improved with each game that we’ve played against them, and we know (on Saturday) we have to improve again if we want to win the game.

“They’re the benchmark. We’re looking forward to it. It’s the challenge that you want.

“Melbourne Victory wants to have big games. We are a big club, but we want to be a club that’s always challenging for honours.”

City coach Patrick Kisnorbo said the Victory – which has enjoyed a revival under Popovic after collecting the wooden spoon last season – was a “good team”.

“But we need to worry about and concentrate on ourselves,” Kisnorbo said.

“It’s another game for us to improve and get better.”

Following the derby, City heads to Thailand for the club’s AFC Champions League group campaign.

“We’re not even thinking about that. We need to concentrate and worry about (Saturday night’s game) and then after (that’s) done, we can concentrate on the Asian Champions League,” Kisnorbo said.

Originally published as Melbourne Victory desperate to end Melbourne City’s 11-match unbeaten run