Saturday’s match between Sydney FC and Western United is not only a blockbuster clash between two heavyweights at the top end of the ladder but it also features two of the greatest imports to grace the A-League.
Milos Ninkovic and Alessandro Diamanti are two world-class players that are instrumental to their side’s success.
Both have featured for their countries at either a World Cup or major European tournament.
Ninkovic and Diamanti will leave a legacy at their respective clubs for the way they play. For Sydney FC and Ninkovic, the Serbian has won three Championships, three Premierships, and an FFA Cup during his stay in the harbour city so far.
He is a joy to watch and he makes the game look so easy with his effortless movement off the ball and his sharp football brain. It’s a trait that former Sydney FC captain Alex Brosque believes has led to his success in the League.
“Off the field, he’s very quiet, softly spoken and a real gentleman but as soon as he steps onto the pitch you can see the quality he has.”
“He knows where everyone is around him. He has great awareness and knows when players are making forward runs. That’s something you can’t teach. Players are born with that incredible natural ability.”
“He’s not the quickest of players but he doesn’t need to be, he’s always one step ahead of everyone else on the field which is where it counts.”
Brosque believes that Saturday’s battle will be won in midfield and has been impressed with what he has seen from John Aloisi’s side. The former Sydney FC player has steered Western United to the top end of the ladder and Brosque believes Diamanti will be crucial to their chances.
“For me, the game will be won in midfield, in Diamanti and Ninkovic you have two players that can win a game with a single pass so I think whichever one of them will have the most influence on the game then their side will come out on top.”
