City out to turn Melbourne derby tables
Melbourne City's W-League coach insists there's no bad blood between the league's newest side and cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory ahead of their first derby duel.
City have seven players on their books that turned out for Victory last season, part of their recruitment drive to establish themselves as a W-League force from day one.
It's worked so far, with City taking a 6-0 debut win over Sydney FC ahead of the AAMI Park derby, a curtain-raiser to Sunday's A-League match with Central Coast.
The acquisitions - including Matildas captain Lisa De Vanna and Victory's skipper Steph Catley - have ruffled Victory feathers.
City sits comfortably at the top of the league for wages paid and for training facilities, based alongside the A-League club at the City Football Academy at Bundoora.
Joe Montemurro, himself a former Victory coach, insisted City's efforts to up the league's standards should be applauded.
"The girls were out of contract, an opportunity came up and they made a choice they thought was right for their development," he told AAP.
"My experience at Victory was a great one ... the women's game is a little bit different in the way contracts are structured.
"I haven't experienced any bad blood at all."
In Montemurro's corner is national team coach Alen Stajcic.
The Matildas mentor says raising standards can only be a good thing for his team and women's football in Australia.
"They've certainly raised the bar," he said.
"Hopefully down the track we'll have all the other teams join in and want to compete at that level, I congratulate them and hope it continues and grows to other clubs."
Sadly for City, six internationals will be missing on Sunday, making the highest-profile player on the pitch Victory's custodian; decorated former Matildas captain Melissa Barbieri.
Montemurro says it shouldn't dampen the occasion for their first ever home match.
"It's a historic day for the club and the derby will become an amazing spectacle for women's football."
