By Lachlan Mitchell
Melbourne City is ready and raring for back-to-back championships this week, as it faces Adelaide United in two-legs starting on Wednesday.
City had the bye in week-one of the finals, patiently waiting on other results to see who they would face for a spot in the grand-final.
The Casey Fields based side earned the bye after finishing on top of the table and claiming the Premiers Plate for the second-consecutive season.
Melbourne’s opponents Adelaide finished fourth in the regular season and cruised past the Central Coast Mariners (3-1) on Sunday to book them a spot in the semi-final.
City coach Patrick Kisnorbo as also hinted that French international Florin Berenguer could also return for the clash after a hamstring injury.
Berenguer was an essential part of City’s run before his injury, the injury resulted in the French-man missed the City’s Asian Champions League campaign.
It’s been a big week for the side with Connor Metcalfe taking home the 2021/22 Alex Tobin medal for professionalism and service as well as dedication to the game in a 3-2-1 voting system.
Metcalfe will be departing City at the end of the year to pursue his career further in Germany to join FC St.Pauli.
The Midfielder made 22-apperances for this Melbourne, missing only a hand-full due to international duty.
Jamie Maclaren was also honoured with his second-consecutive Golden-Boot award.
Maclaren finished the season with 23-goals and was crucial in City finishing the home and away season in pole position.
City defender Nuno Reis has also extended his contract to the end of 23/24 season.
Reis has now made 44 appearances for City and was a part of the championship side in 2019/20.
The other semi-final is between the other two Melbourne sides, with Western United taking on Melbourne Victory.
The layout of the finals campaign ultimately means one Melbourne side will feature in the A-League grand final on 28 May.
City first leg is on Wednesday 18 May in Adelaide, with the return-leg on Sunday afternoon at AAMI Park.
