City rolling with the W-League punches

Perennial W-League champions Melbourne City don't like to lose, and they don't very often.

But there's no doubt that the powerhouse club had its fair share of excuses on Friday night in losing 2-0 to cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory.

City were in the hunt all match but couldn't find a breakthrough, losing to Elise Kellond-Knight's own goal and Emily Gielnik's runaway finish.

Coach Raso Vidosic lamented the lack of players in his first-choice side due to fitness or unavailability.

Matildas Steph Catley and Kyah Simon remain injured, England international Jodie Taylor's guest stint begins in January.

New Zealand international Rebekah Stott was called up this week to help the Kiwis qualify for the World Cup, while young defender Chelsea Blissett was absent after a red card in their last-out win.

Vidosic was forced to improvise with Kellond-Knight at centre back, despite the veteran getting just one training session to practice in the role after Matildas duty.

That international break kept a host of players from gelling together on the training pitch this week, one of the reasons for City's lack of on-field chemistry.

Vidosic says they expected to grow into the season, but the injury toll was too much to bear.

"We didn't expect so many injuries," he said.

"I don't think any W-League team missing three defenders would be able to compete the way we did. It is what it is."

The ex-Brisbane Roar men's coach said he was particularly annoyed with Simon's absence given she aggravated her achilles issue while representing Australia last month.

"She probably didn't need to play the game in France when she played 90 minutes and she couldn't walk for a week," he said.

For the first time after three rounds, City aren't in the top four and a stern test awaits next week when they travel to play Sam Kerr's Perth Glory.

Given the returning players - and City's track record of winning the league in the last two seasons despite up-and-down campaigns - Vidosic said he wouldn't be too downbeat.

"I'm very positive we're going to be more competitive," he said.

"Once the Matildas come back we're going to be stronger."