Sydney FC’s rock solid defence faces free-scoring Melbourne City in A-League blockbuster

THE A-League’s most miserly defence meets its most potent attack when Sydney FC travel to face Melbourne City AAMI Park.

DESPITE facing the A-League’s best attack on their home turf, Sydney FC defender Matt Jurman says Melbourne City are “beatable” and believes the Sky Blues are ready to step up a gear in the new year.

It’s the A-League’s unstoppable force against the immovable object at AAMI Park tonight.

City have scored 10 goals more than any other side in the competition, as well as having the most shots on goal and boasting the competition’s top marksman in striker Bruno Fornaroli.

But Sydney FC come armed with plenty of good stats of their own: the Sky Blues have the meanest defence in the league, the most clean sheets, and have kept their opponents to a league-low 25 shots on target in 12 games.

And Jurman is the biggest rock in that defence, having played every minute of every game so far this season, something he isn’t taking for granted after missing a big chuck of last season through illness.

“I’m pretty proud about that, it was one of my goals at the start of the season to try and play every game, every minute,” Jurman told The Daily Telegraph.

“I’ve had a bit of bad luck the last few years but I’m looking after myself, and hopefully I can stay injury free and sickness free for the rest of the season.”

Sydney’s consistency will be sorely tested by a City side still hurting from a heavy 3-0 defeat by Brisbane Roar and Jurman knows a result tonight could hang on the Sky Blues’ ability to frustrate John Van’t Schip’s free-scoring side.

“They definitely have a strong team, particularly with Fornaroli and Mooy — they have a lot of great players.

“The game against Brisbane could’ve gone either way, but the Roar showed that they are beatable.

“City are in good form but if we can keep them quiet at the back that can give us a chance to get three points and take a positive step forward.”

Despite their defensive rigour, the narrative of Sydney’s season has been one of frustration so far, as a goal drought at the other end has so far kept the Sky Blues out of the title talk.

Graham Arnold’s side have scored the fewest of any team in the top six but Jurman says as long as the team is creating chances, the goals will come. And just like last season’s late surge, the defender believes the thumping of the Central Coast Mariners could herald the turnaround.

“I think we have been playing well in the past month or so. We’ve been unlucky to not get more points than we have, and we’ve let ourselves down a bit with a few late goals.

“But I think [the Mariners] game was a good one for us to get the win and score a few goals, which we hadn’t done so far this year.

“Our build-up play has been great and but it’s just not been happening for us up front. But as long as we are creating chances that is the main thing for us, so hopefully for the new year we can keep them clean sheets and start scoring some goals, like we did this time last year.”

IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

*Melbourne City have had the most shots at goal (152) and the most shots on target (72).

*Sydney FC have kept their opponents to a league-low 25 shots on target in 12 games.

*Sydney have the most A-League clean sheets in season 2015-16 so far (6).

*City striker and A-League top scorer Bruno Fornaroli has scored five goals in his last five games.

*Sydney are without a win in their last three away games; a fourth would be their longest streak since November 2013.

Originally published as Sydney FC’s rock solid defence faces free-scoring Melbourne City in A-League blockbuster