FFA CUP FINAL
Melbourne City v Sydney FC
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Wednesday 30 November, 7:30pm kickoff
ROAD TO THE FINAL
Melbourne City
R32: Floreat Athena (WA) 1-2 Melbourne City
R16: Brisbane Strikers (Qld) 1-2 Melbourne City
QF: Melbourne City 4-1 Western Sydney
SF: Melbourne Victory 0-2 Melbourne City
Sydney FC
R32: Wollongong Wolves (NSW) 0-3 Sydney FC
R16: Perth Glory 0-2 Sydney FC (after extra time)
QF: Blacktown City (NSW) 0-3 Sydney FC
SF: Canberra Olympic (ACT) 0-3 Sydney FC
KEY MATCH-UPS
Bruno Fornaroli v Alex Wilkinson
The fringe Socceroo counted Fornaroli as a teammate last season but must mark the unbelievably talented Uruguayan on Wednesday night. Arriving at City mid-season, Wilkinson's work fixing City's defence on the road to their semi-final last season was undervalued. He's continuing the act with the Sky Blues, who have conceded just three times in eight games. But if anyone can breach Sydney's defence, it's the free-scoring Fornaroli, who improved to seven goals this season on Sunday.
Neil Kilkenny v Milos Ninkovic
Ninkovic has been outstanding in Sydney's unbeaten run this season, which now stretches to 12 matches in the league and cup. The Serbian was unremarkable on Saturday night against Adelaide but remains on Johnny Warren Medal-winning pace for his role linking Sydney's hard-working defence with a deadly attack. Who better to negate his impact than Kilkenny, the fulcrum of City's ambitious 3-2-4-1 formation. The former Socceroo is a combative ball-winner whose dedication to defensive duties allows City's attackers to shine.
Michael Jakobsen v Bobo
City's Danish defender is John van 't Schip's go-to man down back, whether operating as the sole centre-back or alongside Connor Chapman, who is enduring an indifferent season. And so it falls to the Danish title winner to mark Sydney's Brazilian frontman. Bobo has showed his ability to score different sorts of goals and contribute along Sydney's dynamic attack, so Jakobsen best be on guard.
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