Saturday’s Sydney Derby between Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers is set the be the most fierce and passionate on record, as it returns to Allianz Stadium for the first time in nearly five years.
A near capacity attendance is expected as seven-year Sky Blue Milos Ninkovic returns to play in front of the fans who once adored him. Tickets are selling fast with many areas of the stadium already sold out.
Ninkovic’s off-season switch to cross-town rivals Western Sydney Wanderers took Sky Blue fans by surprise and his return is set to intensify the already white-hot atmosphere between the two teams and sets of supporters.
“It’s going to be electric, intense, dirty, nasty, antagonistic, whatever you want to call it; both teams will be up for it and ready to fight for every ball,” said Sydney FC skipper Luke Brattan.
“There’s absolutely no love lost between us and them, particularly after recent events, and we are going to make sure they know about it.
“Alex Brosque once said, ‘When we go out there we hate every single one of them,’ and that rhetoric still rings true today.
“Make no mistake, this will be the hottest Sydney Derby in history and I can’t wait to play in it.”
Sydney FC Chief Executive Officer Adam Santo expects drama and excitement on and off the pitch.
“This is surely going to be the most memorable Sydney derby ever played. It will be a ‘where were you moment’, one which supporters will talk about for years to come.
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“We’ve got something special planned pre-match and so does our active supporters, come kick off, the atmosphere inside the stadium will be explosive.
“The volume of special requests we have received to bring special items into the stadium is unprecedented. We are being careful with what we approve and decline.
“We are determined for our first win back at Allianz Stadium to be against our rivals. I am sure the Wanderers will be doing everything to make sure that doesn’t happen.
“Bring on Saturday night. Whether you are sky blue or red & black, you do not want to miss out on this one. This Sydney Derby will be one for the ages.”
Sydney FC sit sixth on the ladder, three points behind Western Sydney Wanderers who are in 2nd place.
Tickets are available here.
