Steve Corica insists his side has what it takes to win “the biggest Sydney Derby” on Saturday night.
Sydney FC face the Wanderers for the first time in Finals football, hunting a repeat of the famous win at CommBank Stadium in February.
On that night, a Max Burgess blast from the edge of the box was enough to secure the points for the Sky Blues.
And Corcia’s side will enter the same arena tomorrow night, expecting a hostile atmosphere in the biggest game of the season.
“We’re not frightened to go anywhere.
“It’s all about using that pressure to help you play good football and win the game,” Corica said.
“I think this is the biggest Derby game, but for me the most important thing is winning the game, it’s not about what happens after that.”
With the Wanderers making their first finals appearance since 2017, the Sydney FC Head Coach knows that his side can call upon experience when it is required.
“It helps that these boys have played in Finals before and won Finals.
“They know what to expect, Wanderers have good experience in their line-up. Not so much experience in Australia with Finals, but they do have experienced players that have played in big leagues that can handle the pressure,” he said.
With the Sky Blues picking up three wins in a row heading into this, they are one of the form teams in the top six.
“We’ve been on a roll both in defence and attack. We’ve been creating good scoring chances too.
“But form counts for nothing heading into Finals. It’s a massive game and the first time we’ve met in Finals so it is going to be interesting,” Corica added.
“The pressure is always on in this game and to have it in the Finals, it is going to be exciting.”
Joe Lolley is a concern for Saturday’s Derby clash after straining a hamstring in last week’s win over Newcastle jets.
“He is doing everything he can to be fit for this game and it is better than I expected.
“Joe still has a chance to be involved in the game and he has two days of training to get through, but he is coming along nicely and he is a real threat for us,” the Head Coach said.
“Everyone else is good and raring to go.”
With the prospect of extra time and penalties on the horizon too, Sydney FC have begun to think about how they handle it if the match goes the distance.
“It’s been a strange year for penalties for us. We’ve missed a few so we have a few days to practice.
“You have to prepare for everything and that’s something we always do as well.
“Whatever it takes to get the job done,” Steve Corica concluded.
After the last meeting, this one isn’t to be missed on Saturday night as the Sydney Derby lights up the Isuzu UTE A-League Finals Series.
Match Details
Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC
Isuzu UTE A-League Elimination Final
Saturday 6th May 2023
CommBank Stadium, Parramatta, NSW
Kick Off: 7:45pm AEST
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Bold
Tickets: Click Here
