Sydney Derbies are up there with some of the most anticipated games of the domestic football season, so it was probably a no-brainer for the A-League – struggling for notoriety – to schedule one on opening weekend.
This Saturday night at a sold-out CommBank Stadium, the Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC will do battle for the 39th time.
“Everyone is excited and pumped – not just for the Derby but for the start of the league,” new Western Sydney coach Alen Stajcic said on Monday.
“After the longest pre-season on the planet, it’s crunch time now. We’ve put 16 weeks of preparation in and I’m extremely happy with how that’s gone, and I’m pleased with how everyone’s responded.
“I think there’s a really good feeling in the air but what matters is what comes out on the pitch on the weekend. Hopefully we can bring all that together and get a good showing.”
Giving the home side a huge boost heading into Saturday night is the availability of their marquee player Juan Mata. The former Manchester United and Chelsea hero will make his Western Sydney debut against Sydney FC, much to the delight of Wanderers supporters.
Stajcic said the 36-year-old FIFA World Cup winner has already made a huge impact since arriving at Wanderland.
“He’s everything that we thought he was going to be and more,” Stajcic said.
“He is so humble, and he’s come in and is willing to work hard and willing to learn and willing to spread his knowledge across the group.
“His humility in and around the team is exactly the kind of culture western suburbs people really appreciate and enjoy – not just our playing group, but the whole community. He really is an inspiring figure to have in the group.”
If anyone knows a thing or two about the west and the people that live here, it’s Stajcic.
The 50-year-old former Perth Glory and Matildas coach calls western Sydney home after residing not far from the Wanderers’ state-of-the-art training base at Rooty Hill.
“It’s a little bit spiritual for me. I grew up 3km that way and 2km that way in Quakers Hill and Mount Druitt – this is almost the centre point,” Stajcic told the Weekender.
“I remember when the complex across the road (Blacktown International Sportspark) was built for the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Eastern Road has been very close to me personally, so it just means a little bit more to me.
“Ultimately, I don’t kick a ball, but I just know how much it means to the players to be here and to be part of this community. For them to know that they are playing in front of a full stadium this week is really going to give them the motivation and ammunition to push this club to what we all think it can be.
“It’s been hyped up for so long about the potential of this club, but it’s going to be our job to deliver on that and not be just hollow words.”
The Wanderers are fifth favourites with the bookmakers for this year’s title.
Nathan Taylor
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.