Attacking weapon Marco Tilio keen to continue goal-scoring form in Melbourne derby

A Melbourne City star has another chance to push for Socceroos selection in Saturday night’s derby at AAMI Park.

Melbourne City winger Marco Tilio can further enhance his claims for a Socceroos recall with a derby-defining moment on Saturday night.

Having scored the game’s only goal in City’s 1-0 win over Newcastle last weekend, Tilio is eager to again pounce on any opportunities that fall his way against Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park not only for his team’s sake but also his chances of being named in Australia’s squad for next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

A member of the Socceroos’ 2022 World Cup squad, Tilio hasn’t played for Australia since an appearance of the bench at the AFC Asian Cup in January this year.

“It would be an honour to be back in the Socceroos squad, and the only way to do that is to play consistently and play well,” he said.

“I was delighted to score that goal against Newcastle and open my account so early in the season.

“It was really good and really positive for me. Hopefully I’ll have that little bit of instinct all season, and I can keep grabbing little goals like that.”

A strong A-League season will also help 23-year-old Tilio – currently on loan to City from Scottish giants Celtic – in his bid to eventually return abroad.

“I just want to play consistent games, do really well and put myself in a really good position to either return to Scotland or go on loan elsewhere in Europe,” he said.

Hitting the track on #MelbDerby Matchday -1 🫡

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— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) October 25, 2024

Tilio expected an intense derby atmosphere on Saturday, and urged his side to gain the ascendancy early.

“It doesn’t take much to get yourself up for a game like this,” he said.

“It’s a massive game here in Melbourne, and we all highlight this on our calendar, especially with it being so early on in the season.

“I’m sure that the first 20 minutes is especially going to be a fight out there to win field position.

“Hopefully we come out on top.”

Adding spice to the derby is that former City coach Patrick Kisnorbo is now in charge of the Victory.

“Under `PK’ they’re a very structured team, and very aggressive with how they implement their game plan,” Tilio said.

“We have ideas of how he’ll want them to play. They’re a strong side with great players, so hopefully we can nullify them.”

City skipper Aziz Behich – who has played in derbies in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, and started his A-League career at the Victory – said the Melbourne derby held special significance for him.

“This derby just feels a bit more special,” Socceroos stalwart Behich said.

“It’s not so much because I’ve also played for the Victory, it’s more so that’s it’s my home town.

“There’s always a great atmosphere. Our supporters, the Victory supporters, they turn up for the derby, and it’s always a great football game, a game that as a footballer you want to be part of.”