Phoenix coaches past and present to face off
Giancarlo Italiano v Ufuk Talay – the rematch, coming to you live from Eden Park in Auckland, this afternoon.
Second-placed Wellington Phoenix host fifth-placed Sydney FC at a venue where they’ve never been beaten, in an A-League Men clash that pits their current coach against their former one.
The first time these two teams met this season, back in late December, they produced a cracking contest, which was decided late when Sydney pounced on a Phoenix error to win 3-1 at home.
With the way they’ve been playing so far in 2024 – the Phoenix going on a 10-match unbeaten run before losing to Melbourne City last Saturday; Sydney being unbeaten
for eight – another classic is in store this weekend.
Hopefully making that the case will be the fact that these two teams present a clash of styles. Sydney have become known for their high press, driven by Talay’s assistant David Zdrilic, while the Phoenix under Italiano have sought to invite pressure, before playing through the space it leaves in behind.
“For the football enthusiasts that come on Saturday,” Italiano said, “they’re going to enjoy it.
“They press quite well. They’re the best pressing team in the league and no-one does what they do – it’s unique and it’s very effective.
“No-one does what we do, and when we do it right, we’re quite effective as well.”
It was a bit of a love-in between the two former colleagues, with Talay noting the way Italiano’s tactics have been inspired by Roberto de Zerbi, the Italian manager of English Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.
“They want to suck you in to create those spaces to play through the lines, and I think at times they do it exceptionally well,’’ he said of the team he coached from 2019 to 2023. “They’ve scored some great goals this season.”
“I’m not sure what Chiefy’s thinking for this game. He’s playing at home this time, so will he play a little bit more expansive, because he’s the home team? Open up and play a little bit higher and press? We’ll see on game day.”
Italiano has overseen a remarkable Phoenix season since stepping up to replace Talay last year, when the former boss decided to move on after four seasons at the helm, during which he took the team to the finals series three times but never won a playoff match.
They sit second behind Central Coast Mariners only because they’ve won one less match and will be hoping to head into the international break on a high, in what will be their last home match in Auckland, with newly-named Auckland FC joining A-League Men next summer.