2019–20 Melbourne City FC season explained

The 2019–20 season was the tenth in the history of Melbourne City Football Club. In addition to the domestic league, Melbourne City competed in the Australia Cup for the sixth time.

The club appointed Erick Mombaerts to the vacant managerial role at the start of the season. On 24 March 2020, the FFA announced that the 2019–20 A-League season would be postponed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and New Zealand,^[1] and subsequently extended indefinitely. The season resumed on 17 July 2020.^[2]

In the 2019–20 season, Melbourne City qualified for though lost both the FFA Cup Final and A-League Grand Final, the latter being the first time it had qualified for a Grand Final. It finished the season in its highest ever place of second position, and in doing so qualified for a maiden AFC Champions League spot in 2021.

Review

Pre-season

See also: 2018–19 Melbourne City FC season. Melbourne City finished fifth in the previous season before being eliminated by Adelaide United by a single goal.^[3] Before the season started, Warren Joyce left the role as manager to join the Salford City development squad.^[4] The club appointed Erick Mombaerts as new manager on 27 June 2019.^[5] In the transfer market, they lost Dylan Pierias and Joshua Cavallo to the newest A-League club, Western United. After signing Scott Galloway from Adelaide United,^[6] Denis Genreau and Dean Bouzanis returned to the squad from their loan at Dutch club PEC Zwolle.

Players

Squad information

Transfers

Transfers in

No.	Position	Player	Transferred from	Type/fee	Contract length	Date	Ref
2			Adelaide United	Free transfer	3 years	3 May 2019
17				Loan return		8 May 2019	[7]
23				Loan return		8 May 2019
11				Undisclosed	2 years	17 June 2019	[8]
40			Unattached	Free transfer	2 years	28 June 2019	[9]
6			Sydney FC	Free transfer	2 years	8 July 2019	[10]
8			Unattached	Free transfer	2 years	9 July 2019	[11]
20			Unattached	Free transfer	2 years	19 July 2019	[12]
1			Unattached	Free transfer	2 years	6 August 2019	[13]
36				Scholarship	2 years	9 September 2019
46				Scholarship	1 year	9 September 2019
59				Scholarship	1 year	7 November 2019
14			Unattached	Free transfer	0.5 year	16 January 2020	[14]
5				Loan	0.5 year	22 January 2020	[15]

Transfers out

No.	Position	Player	Transferred to	Type/fee	Date	Ref
36			Western United	Free transfer	20 March 2019	[16]
38			Western United	Free transfer	15 April 2019	[17]
2				Loan return	8 May 2019	[18]
8				Loan return	8 May 2019
9				Loan return	8 May 2019
18			Retired		8 May 2019	[19]
42			Western United	Free transfer	9 May 2019	[20]
25			Unattached	End of contract	9 May 2019	[21]
10			Unattached	End of contract	3 June 2019	[22]
26				Loan return	30 June 2019	[23] [24]
5			Unattached	End of contract	2 July 2019	[25]
15				Undisclosed	2 July 2019	[26]
1			Central Coast Mariners	Free transfer	30 July 2019	[27] [28]
8			Unattached	Mutual contract termination	12 January 2020	[29]
14			Unattached	End of contract	14 July 2020	[30]
23			Unattached	Mutual contract termination	25 July 2020	[31]
5				End of loan	14 July 2020	[32]

Contract extensions

No.	Name	Position	Duration	Date	Notes
22		Centre-back	2 years	8 July 2019	[33]
30		Centre-forward	3 years	11 September 2019	[34]
34		Midfielder	3 years	11 September 2019
21		Attacking midfielder	3 years	17 October 2019	[35]
49		Forward	2 years	28 January 2020	[36]

Technical staff

Position	Name[37]
Head Coach	Erick Mombaerts
Technical Director	Alain Fiard
Senior Assistant Coach	Patrick Kisnorbo
Goalkeeping Coach	Neil Young
Head of Human Performance	Andrew McKenzie
Performance Analysis Manager	Donna Rice
Football Logistics Manager	Josh Bondin

Kits

Supplier: Puma / Sponsor: Etihad Airways / Sleeve sponsor: McDonald's

Competitions

A-League

See main article: 2019–20 A-League.

Finals series

FFA Cup

See main article: 2019 FFA Cup. As an A-League team, Melbourne City automatically qualified through to the Round of 32 as one of the ten A-League clubs competing in the competition.^[38] In the opening round they took on South Australian side Campbelltown City who won the previous years National Premier Leagues title.^[39]

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Includes all competitions. Players with no appearances not included in the list.^[40]

			Name	A-League				FFA Cup		Total
				Regular season		Finals series
				Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
1	GK		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	13	0	2	0	0	0	15	0
2	DF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	12+8	1	0+2	0	5	1	27	2
3	DF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	22	0	0	0	5	0	27	0
4	DF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	18+4	1	2	0	5	0	29	1
6	MF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	25+1	1	2	0	5	0	33	1
7	MF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	15+4	2	0+2	0	0+1	0	22	2
9	FW		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	23	22	2	1	5	6	30	29
10	MF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	13+2	3	2	0	3+1	0	21	3
11	FW		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	24+1	5	2	0	5	4	32	9
13	DF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	13+8	1	2	0	0	0	23	1
17	MF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	4+2	0	0	0	0+2	0	8	0
19	FW		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	12+13	0	2	0	1+2	0	30	0
20	MF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	18+5	5	2	0	2+3	0	30	5
21	FW		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	2+6	0	0+1	0	2+1	0	12	0
22	DF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	24	1	2	0	0	0	26	1
30	MF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	2+4	1	0	0	0+1	0	7	1
34	MF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	9+7	2	0+2	0	5	0	23	2
35	FW		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
39	MF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
40	DF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	5+1	0	2	0	0+2	0	10	0
49	FW		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	1+5	0	0+1	0	0	0	7	0
Player(s) transferred out but featured this season
5	DF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
8	FW		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	7+2	1	0	0	2+2	1	13	2
14	FW		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	9+1	2	0	0	0	0	10	2
23	GK		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	13	0	0	0	5	0	18	0

Disciplinary record

Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total cards are equal. Players with no cards not included in the list.

Rank				Name	A-League						FFA Cup			Total
					Regular season			Finals series
						<	--Two yellows that make a red-->	<	--Straight red-->		<	--Two yellows that make a red-->	<	--Straight red-->		<	--Two yellows that make a red-->	<	--Straight red-->		<	--Two yellows that make a red-->	<	--Straight red-->
1	4	DF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	4	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	1	2
2	11	FW		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	1
3	3	DF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	8	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	9	0	0
4	20	MF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	5	0	0	1	0	0	2	0	0	8	0	0
5	6	MF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	3	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	5	0	0
	7	MF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	0
	13	DF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	4	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	0
8	2	DF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0
	10	MF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0
	17	MF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	4	0	0
	40	DF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	3	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0
12	22	DF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0
13	19	FW		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
	23	GK		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
	34	MF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
16	1	GK		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	8	FW		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	9	FW		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	30	MF		<	--A-League (Regular season)-->	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
Total<					--A-League (Regular season)-->	59	1	2	5	0	0	5	0	0	79	1	2

Clean sheets

Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total clean sheets are equal. Numbers in parentheses represent games where both goalkeepers participated and both kept a clean sheet; the number in parentheses is awarded to the goalkeeper who was substituted on, whilst a full clean sheet is awarded to the goalkeeper who was on the field at the start of play. Goalkeepers with no clean sheets not included in the list.

Rank			Goalkeeper	A-League		FFA Cup	Total
				Regular season	Finals series
1	1			3	1	0	4
	23			3	0	1	4
Total				6	1	1	8

Notes and References

1. Web site: FFA to postpone remaining matches in the Hyundai A-League season due to COVID-19. 24 March 2020.
2. Web site: 15 July 2020 . Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season updated match schedule released . 16 July 2020 . A-League.com.au. Football Federation Australia . en.
3. Web site: Elimination Final Report: Adelaide 1 City 0. 5 May 2019. 2 August 2019. Melbourne City FC.
4. Web site: Salford City appoint former Manchester United coach to new role. 10 July 2019. 2 August 2019. Tyrone. Marshall. Manchester Evening News.
5. Web site: City go for attacking flair by appointing French veteran Mombaerts. The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 June 2019.
6. News: Melbourne City sign Adelaide United fullback Scott Galloway. David. Davutovic. Herald Sun. 3 May 2019.
7. News: Galekovic leads stars out of City. FTBL. 8 May 2019. Dean Bouzanis and Denis Genreau – both currently on loan in the Netherlands to PEC Zwolle – are also set to return to Melbourne for next season..
8. News: Melbourne City sign Noone from Bolton. Ben. McKay. FTBL. 17 June 2019.
9. News: 'The moment I stepped foot in this city, I was in love...'. FTBL. 28 June 2019.
10. News: City snap up Brillante. FTBL. 8 July 2019.
11. News: City pick up South American winger. FTBL. 9 July 2019.
12. News: City's Luna landing.... FTBL. 19 July 2019.
13. News: Tom Glover returns to A-League with Melbourne City after leaving Tottenham Hotspur. Andrew. Parkinson. St George and Sutherland Shire Leader. 6 August 2019.
14. News: Melbourne City boosts A-League title hopes with signing of Spanish attacker Markel Susaeta. David. Davutovic. Herald Sun. 16 January 2020.
15. Web site: Jack Hendry: Melbourne City take Celtic defender on loan. BBC Sport. 22 January 2020.
16. Web site: Western United swoop for talented Aussie trio. SBS. The World Game. 20 March 2019.
17. News: United pick up trio of new signings. FTBL. 15 April 2019.
18. Web site: City trio depart after loan spell. Windon. Jacob. 8 May 2019. A-League.
19. News: A-League's most decorated goalkeeper calls time on career. David. Davutovic. Herald Sun. 8 May 2019.
20. News: Galekovic retires, Delianov switches from City to Western United. Michael. Lynch. The Sydney Morning Herald. 9 May 2019.
21. News: Galekovic leads stars out of City. FTBL. 9 May 2019.
22. Web site: Dario Vidosic Departs The Club. 3 June 2019. Melbourne City.
23. Web site: Korea opportunity for Brattan as City contract runs down. Dave. Lewis. SBS. The World Game. 4 February 2019.
24. Web site: Brattan heads to Turkey after snubbing Sydney FC. Dave. Lewis. SBS. The World Game. 9 July 2019.
25. News: Pair depart Melbourne City. Steve. Larkin. FTBL. 2 July 2019.
26. News: Kaizer Chiefs announce double signing. Sport24. 3 July 2019.
27. Web site: Birighitti bound for Mariners after splitting with City. Dave. Lewis. SBS. The World Game. 30 July 2019.
28. News: Mariners pick up top keeper talent. FTBL. 1 August 2019.
29. Web site: Uruguayan A-League star Javier Cabrera quits City after just nine games. Zac. Rayson. Fox Sports. 12 January 2020.
30. Web site: Susaeta departs Melbourne City for Spain return. SBS. The World Game. 14 July 2020.
31. Web site: Player Update: Dean Bouzanis and Denis Genreau. Melbourne City. 25 July 2020.
32. Web site: Jack Hendry: Celtic defender joins KV Oostende on loan. BBC Sport. 14 July 2020.
33. Web site: Curtis Good re-signs for another two years. Football Federation Australia. Melbourne City. 8 July 2019.
34. Web site: Melbourne City upgrade Connor Metcalfe and Moudi Najjar to the senior list. Football Federation Australia. Melbourne City. 11 September 2019.
35. Web site: Melbourne City FC secures Ramy Najjarine until the end of the 2021/22 season. Football Federation Australia. Melbourne City. 17 October 2019.
36. Web site: Colakovski extends to 2022. Football Federation Australia. Melbourne City. 28 January 2020.
37. Web site: Melbourne City FC finalise A-League coaching team with appointment of Frenchman, Alain Fiard. Melbourne City FC. 17 July 2019.
38. Web site: FFA Cup 2019 slot allocations confirmed. Football Federation Australia. 31 January 2019 . 31 January 2019.
39. Web site: Reds begin FFA Cup defence in Melbourne, Fowler's Roar reign starts against Sydney FC. 26 June 2019. John. Greco. 19 August 2019. FFA Cup.
40. Web site: Melbourne City Squad: 2019/2020. Soccerway.