Despite being handed multiple injury blows in the same week, Ufuk Talay is not making excuses for the situation that he finds himself in.
Following the 2-1 victory over Brisbane Roar, it was confirmed that Jack Rodwell, Joel King, Robert Mak and Aaron Gurd will all spend an extended period on the sidelines as the Head Coach is forced to reshuffle his pack.
He will have to shuffle it quickly, with the task of Adelaide United in Unite Round coming up on Saturday at Allianz Stadium.
“The injuries are what they are but at the end of the day that is why we have a squad and we have players that can come in and do a role.
“I don’t like excuses,” Talay said.
“It is what it is at the moment with injuries but this gives opportunity for players to come in and step up and keep the jersey on their back.”
“I don’t think the pitch played a role with the injuries as it was the same for both teams.”
This weekend will be the first A-Leagues Unite Round where all 12 matches will be played in Sydney and the Head Coach looks forward to a new concept that celebrates football.
“I think it is fantastic. It’s like a football festivity with the games starting tonight and going all through the weekend and you can watch so many games.
“I think it will be fantastic with the Men’s and Women’s together and you can see so many games that you wouldn’t normally have seen so we will see how it all goes this year,” he said.
Next up for the 47 year old is the challenge of Adelaide United, the team that he dismantled 5-1 in his first game in charge of Sydney FC and he is wary of the threat of Nestory Irankunda.
“They play some really good football but haven’t been getting the results they desire at the moment so we will do our homework on them and we want to go out there and perform the way that we want to perform.
“We think Irankunda is a dangerous player with the ball but the focus is on our performance and the way that we want to play, and if we do that, I don’t think any individual becomes an issue,” Talay said.
“We’ll have to adapt to the squad that we have available but we will have some players coming in and it is an opportunity for them to show what they can do.”
Catch Talay and Sydney FC as part of a Unite Round Doubleheader when Central Coast Mariners take on Melbourne Victory prior to the match up against Adelaide United.
Match Details
Adelaide United v Sydney FC
Isuzu UTE A-League Round 27 (Unite Round)
Saturday 13th January 2024
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, NSW
Kick Off: 8:00pm AEDT
Gates Open: 4:00pm AEDT
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Bold
Tickets: Click Here
