City's young gun filling the boots of Socceroos

The 19-year-old scored in the 35th minute after fellow teenager Medin Memeti drew first blood at five minutes.

Sydney had looked poised to mount a second-half challenge after Douglas Costa equalised in the 39th minute, but it was 20-year-old Alessandro Lopane who sealed the deal for the visitors.

City are still without experienced trio Matt Leckie, Steven Ugarkovic, and Andrew Nabbout, but coach Aurelio Vidmar won't waste time sweating over their fitness.

Caputo's star performance in their round-24 fixture, scoring their third goal of the season, comes just seven weeks after returning from injury.

The 17-year-old had broken his ankle in the pre-season. 

Lopane was also making a comeback from injury, playing in his first game after undergoing surgery for a patella issue.

"It's great that we're relying on those guys (Caputo, Memeti, Lopane), and great that they're able to develop and show that they're not afraid to play in big games," Vidmar said.

"(Caputo) had a few demons three or four weeks back because his touch wasn't quite there.

"When you come back from an injury, as a player you always think that I'm going to be back at the same level that I was prior to the injury, but it's never the case.

"It's a sign of a quality person, firstly - he just keeps going back in there, and keeps going back in there, keeps going back in there."

Caputo says Vidmar's faith has only helped him rediscover his form.

"He used to be a striker as well, so he talks to me in front of goal," Caputo told AAP.

"His expectations are pretty clear on what I need to do. He came in and had belief in me from the start. 

"I was out for six months, so even coming back, he put trust in me, started me straight away, and gives me confidence."