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Important update on 1476AMHurt City to roll dice on injuries for cut-throat final against Auckland FC
Anna Harrington, AAP • April 27th, 2026 7:00 pm
Melbourne City FC's Marcus Younis & Auckland FC's Luis Leiva | Photo: Photosport
Reigning A-League Men champions Melbourne City will draw on their Asian Champions League Elite run for inspiration as they embrace a daunting do-or-die trip to Auckland.
And coach Aurelio Vidmar is ready to roll the dice on injured players to keep City's title defence alive.
City led Adelaide 1-0 on Sunday evening and were on track to finish third and host a home elimination final before the Reds mounted a dramatic late comeback to win 2-1.
Adelaide leapfrogged Auckland into second, forcing Steve Corica's charges into a home elimination final against City at Go Media Stadium next Saturday.
Vidmar believes his players can dust themselves off.
"Well we have to. There's no hiding from the fact that we've got to go travel to Auckland and it's not a place that we've done well over our last two visits there," Vidmar said.
"But it's a final."
City lost to Auckland 3-0 away in February, but will draw on reaching the ACL Elite round of 16.
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"We've done it before. We've gone to difficult places," captain Aziz Behich said.
"And if there's anything that's going to give this group confidence, it's the away games that we've got wins in Asian Champions League.
"So we're going to have to go there with the right mentality, the right energy, obviously, the right game plan. But it's finals football. It's a one-off game."
City also take confidence from Marcus Younis's form, with the winger notching seven goals and three assists since joining on loan in January.
"Hopefully he's got a few more in the bag left this weekend," Behich said.
Aurelio Vidmar is gearing his team to bounce back in Auckland | Photo: AAP
It could be Younis's last chance to impress Socceroos boss Tony Popovic before the pre-World Cup training camp.
"Look, he's doing everything right at the end of the day," Behich said.
"Getting selected or not, that's up to the boss.
"So as long as he keeps doing the right things and performing on the weekend, you always give yourself a chance, and the boss is showing that he does give opportunities."
City will be without Samuel Souprayen (knee) and Kavian Rahmani (achilles).
Ryan Teague (knee) appears unlikely while Andrew Nabbout (soreness) will have to prove his fitness.
But Nathaniel Atkinson (soreness) and Daniel Arzani (hamstring) could return, with Vidmar indicating City could "roll the dice" on those players.
Behich added: "They looked good last week, but I'm pretty sure even if they're slightly off it they're going to put their hand up because they know what's on the line."
