Melbourne City one foot in the Grand Final after semi-final sweep of Western

Aurelio Vidmar’s Melbourne City have gone a long way to securing their ticket to the 2024/25 A-League Grand Final, with a thumping 3-0 victory over Western United, in the first leg of their semi-final, at AAMI Park on Friday night.

The first half was a tight tussle, with opportunities flowing in every direction; but the City class and fresher legs – given their bye in the first week of finals – saw the game open up in the second 45.

German Ferreyra opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a header off a Marco Tilio corner into Matt Sutton’s packed six-yard box, with perhaps a fortuitous deflection off Angus Thurgate as well.

Despite the scoreline, the rest of the first half played quite evenly in terms of out and out chances. Tilio was the best user of the mass of City possession, back to his best since returning from a hamstring injury that interruption the start to his season.

However, the Western United press was effective at stifling too much final third threat from all of the ball that City held.

Michael Ruhs and Hiroshi Ibusuki staying narrow in formation, to deny easy access to Zane Schreiber who represented City’s extra number in midfield.

They stifled City well, and the pressure paid off with two guilt edge chances for Western, but they were unable to capitalise on their hard work with goals on the board, forced to head into the break behind.

The second half was a different story altogether. Western United’s lack of Noah Botic – due to a slight quad niggle – was clear, his replacement Ibusuki unable to replicate the brutal efficiency in front of goal that Botic showed last time out.

Yonatan Cohen added the second, a brilliant finish off a slight bobble to curl it around Sutton. Tilio again the creator – despite the official assist – dancing through the Western United midfield to create the space.

Botic did come on for the final 20 minutes of the game to try and get his side back into the match, but it was another substitute, Socceroo Mat Leckie who made the impact, knocking home a loose ball in the box to make it three and well and truly put themselves in control of this tie.

The two sides will regather at AAMI Park next Saturday night, with plenty of work to do for Western to keep their A-League campaign alive.