Christmas Derby Heartbreak
The Christmas Derby on December 20, 2025, ended in agony for Melbourne City FC, losing 0-1 to rivals Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park. Despite dominating chances, Matthew Grimaldi's 91st-minute long-range strike sealed Victory's win.
City's coach Aurelio Vidmar named a confident squad entering unbeaten in four games. Substitutes like Beckham Baker pushed late, but Victory held firm. This drops City to 12 points, tied with Adelaide United and Newcastle Jets.
Fans lament the late goal, but City's underlying performance signals potential. The league table shows Auckland FC leading with 20 points, emphasizing the tight race ahead.
AFC Champions League Resilience
In the AFC Champions League Elite, Melbourne City drew 1-1 with FC Seoul on December 10, 2025. Substitute Takeshi Kanamori's 74th-minute equalizer denied Jesse Lingard a farewell win, keeping City 4th with 10 points from 6 matches.
Kanamori's right-foot strike extended City's unbeaten run to four games. Lingard, departing FC Seoul, scored first but couldn't secure victory. This result boosts morale amid domestic challenges.
With a 50% win rate in league stage (3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses), City eyes progression in the 12-team eastern standings.
Upcoming Matches and Squad News
Today, December 23, 2025, Melbourne City faces Macarthur FC in a key A-League Men fixture. A win could propel them toward top spots, avenging the Derby loss during a busy festive period.
Squad updates include Max Caputo's three-year extension and youth promotions like Beckham Baker. Pre-season friendlies showed promise, with wins over Newcastle Jets.
Next up: Perth Glory on December 28. Vidmar's men aim to channel Grand Final pedigree into consistent form.