A Mini Melbourne derby that had a little bit of nothing panned out as the Victory and City played out a – mostly – lifeless 0-0 draw at Lakeside Stadium.
It was a scrappy and uneventful opening half – to set the tone for a scrappy and uneventful match – with neither side looking particularly comfortable in possession.
While not the most heated contest, there were signs that the two clubs may just boil over, but it remained quite tame for those watching at Lakeside.
The Navy Blue half of Melbourne did manage to get the ball into the back of the net, but the celebrations were packed in ice as Christopher Cristaldo was caught blatantly offside in the build up to Joey Katebian’s strike.
Cristaldo was in the thick of it again after he dropped the shoulder and struck true at the near post, but his effort from the right wing was palmed away by City stopper Marco Stevanja.
The keepers hard work was nearly rubbed out after a poor clearance gifted Victory their best chance of the game, but Katebian scuffed his lines when a clinical touch was needed.
City worked their way into the match and sustained a larger spell of possession in the latter stages of the half.
When Wade Dekker was scythed down cynically by the Victory defence, captain Phil Petreski stepped up to handle the dead-ball situation, but the full-back only managed to see the ball float narrowly wide.
The second half started in more promising fashion, as Joey Katebian once again missed a sitter, somehow blazing over from point-blank range.
A couple of half chances fell for either side, but there was a distinct lack of anything clear-cut for the strikers to sink their teeth into.
Luka Prelevic however looked in fine form, and the creative midfielder was at the forefront of City’s attacking threat, threading through Anthony Rizk for a chance he couldn’t take.
Another goal for the Victory followed with 10 minutes to play, but once again, it was chalked off for an offside, with Cristaldo the guilty party for a second time.
The tension eventually boiled over as some afters were exchanged after a late tackle.
That seemed to spark both sides into some much needed form as Knights midfielder injected some magic into the listless contest, executing a delectable spin before delivering a ball to substitute Lucas Derrick, whose Ibra-esque flick on narrowly evaded the far post.
City then had their turn late as a goal-mouth scramble eventually ended in Damien Miskulin pumping home a clearance.
But with a goal never looking likely, it just so panned out that way as the Victory snapped their losing streak, and City continued their unbeaten one with the draw.
Melbourne City coach Joe Palatsides was philosophical about the point, which saw his side continue on their unbeaten run.
“We’ve come away from home and got a point, you have to look at it from that angle as well,” Palatsides said.
“We didn’t play our best game, so if we don’t and we get a result, that’s not too bad for us this week.”
Opposite number Darren Davies however was pleased to see a younger than usual side – weakened by the loss of Christian Cavallo, Kieran Dover, Andrew Nabbout and Jordy Brown to the senior division – come away with the point but also put in a resolute display.
“I thought it was a terrific performance all round, the young boys were fantastic. The game could’ve gone either way, we had good chances and could’ve won but neither keeper was really tested,” Davies said.
“Overall, results wise it was a fair result but performance wise, I’m over the moon with the young boys.”
Melbourne Victory 0 drew with Melbourne City 0 at Lakeside Stadium
Melbourne Victory: 1. Lucas SPINELLA (GK), 2. Nick ANSELL (14. Stefan NIGRO 46’), 7. Christopher CRISTALDO, 4. Thomas DENG, 10. Anthony DUZEL, 13. Brendan GONANO, 9. Joey KATEBIAN, 11. John MACLEAN (16. Lucas DERRICK 78’), 17. Damien MISCULIN, 6. Jordan O’DOHERTY (15. Jonathan VAKIRTZIS 85’), 3. Milos RIDESIC
Unused Subs: 20. Fraser MACLAREN (GK)
Yellow Cards: Nigro 64’, Miskulin 72’
Red Cards: Nil
Melbourne City: 1. Marko STEVANJA, 12. Leo ATHANASIOU, 4. Connor CHAPMAN (5. Tom KING 46’), 9. Wade DEKKER, 7. Hernan ESPINDOLA (14. Tomislav FADLEVIC 64’), 2. Tyler JAMES, 8. Andy Kecojevic, 3. Andrew MULLETT, 6. Phillip PETRESKI (c), 10. Luka PRELEVIC, 11. Anthony RIZK (15. Luke Gallo 77’)
Unused Subs: 20. Yaren SOZER (GK)
Yellow Cards: Gallo 82’
Red Cards: Nil