The significance of a historic and sell-out Grand Final is not lost on Melbourne City head coach Aurelio Vidmar, who “can’t believe” Saturday marks the first-ever Melbourne Derby in an Isuzu UTE A-League decider.
City and their rivals, Melbourne Victory, will face off in a thrilling 2025 Grand Final at AAMI Park, where a full house will witness this momentous occasion.
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“It’s hard to believe that after 20 years, this will be the first Derby in a Grand Final,” Vidmar shared with reporters.
“And as we know, derbies are always intense… so we simply have to prepare for anything and everything.”
“We’ve trained rigorously this year; we’re ready. Whatever unfolds on the night, we’ll be prepared.”
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Victory have an opportunity to secure their fifth Championship and first since 2018, while 2021 champions City aim for their second title, having reached their fifth Grand Final in six years.
With bragging rights at stake at AAMI Park, the record-breaking Melbourne Derby will not only decide this season’s champions but also the most triumphant club in the city, as both teams currently share an impressive tally of 13 major trophies across their men’s and women’s divisions.
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City enters the Grand Final riding an eight-match unbeaten streak (W5 D3), whereas Victory have lost just two of their last eight outings (W5 D1).
However, Victory remains unbeaten in three matches against City this season, and City have not bested their fierce rivals since April 2023.
As for Vidmar, he has yet to secure a win in seven encounters against Victory, including the 2009 Grand Final while managing Adelaide United.
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“I would feel immensely proud because getting to a Grand Final is not something that happens every year,” Vidmar reflected when asked about the significance of lifting the Championship trophy.
“I know that everyone – not just myself, but the entire coaching staff, our high-performance team, the admin staff, and every single person at the club – has dedicated an incredible amount of effort this season.
“We all headed in the same direction, with unwavering resolve. Even during our tough moments in the middle of the year, when we lost three matches in a row, we maintained our composure and kept pushing forward, ultimately placing ourselves in a strong position.
“Everyone deserves this.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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