Sydney FC winger Joe Lolley is bracing for an aggressive encounter when the Sky Blues host Brisbane Roar at Allianz Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The two sides are meeting for the first time in the league this season, but a fiery pre-season clash has given Lolley a clear idea of what to expect.
“It’ll be an aggressive game,” Lolley said.
“We played them in pre-season and they were on the front foot. They’ll try to make it hostile and difficult for us.
“We need to match that intensity and play our football. I expect us to dominate the ball overall, so we need to use it well and hopefully pick up the win.”
Expecting Fire and Physicality
When asked what he meant by “aggressive”, Lolley didn’t shy away from the reality of the challenge ahead.
“Probably both — in your face and a couple of knocks on the ankle,” he said.
“Fair play to them, they’ve created an identity this year. When you play against them, you know you’re not in for an easy game.”
While Brisbane have hit a slight dip in form, Lolley believes that only adds to the danger.
“They’ll want to turn that around and get themselves into contention. We’re expecting a tough battle — nothing we haven’t faced before.”
Late Goals a Frustration — Not a Fear
Conceding late in recent matches has proven costly, but Lolley insists the squad isn’t panicking.
“It’s been frustrating the last two games,” he admitted.
“Against Adelaide we were probably pushing for the win and left ourselves a bit exposed.
“Against Auckland, it was very unlucky — it could have rebounded anywhere. I thought we controlled that game well and were good for the win.”
Lolley believes those moments are part of football’s natural ebbs and flows.
“Sometimes when things aren’t quite going for you, those small moments creep in. It’s not something we’re overly worried about.
“We just want to take the performance from Auckland into the Brisbane game and keep that going.”
Building New Connections
The January arrivals of Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Ahmet Arslan have added fresh attacking options, and Lolley is enjoying developing those combinations.
“They’re both dangerous players. They’re going to score goals and create goals,” he said.
“We’ve probably seen more of it in training than games so far, but it’s about building that connection.
“We speak off the pitch about how we want to play. They’re good guys and want to do well, so hopefully the connection keeps growing.”
Back to Full Fitness
After a stop-start season due to a hamstring injury, Lolley says he’s feeling strong heading into another demanding week of fixtures.
“Physically I feel really good and strong. I’ve done my work,” he said.
“I’m probably just lacking a little bit of sharpness, which is natural when you’ve missed eight or nine weeks.
“However many minutes it is against Brisbane, hopefully I can contribute.”
A Must-Win Mindset
With only one point taken from the last two home matches, Lolley acknowledges the importance of responding.
“If we want to have ambitions of being at the top, it’s a must-win game for us really,” he said.
“We can’t afford to drop any more points. It’s up to us to take the game to them and get us going in the right direction.”
The winger also highlighted the lift within the group as the squad returns to full strength.
“Training standards rise when everyone’s fit. You’ve got good options coming off the bench who can affect games, and it drives the players starting because someone’s waiting to take their place.
“Having a full set of fit players pushes everyone.”
Match Details
Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar
Isuzu UTE A-League 2025/26 Round 18
Saturday 21st February 2026
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, NSW
Kick Off: 5:00pm AEDT
Gates Open: 4:00pm AEDT
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Drama
Tickets: Click Here
