New Wanderers boss Alen Stajcic has been thrown a curveball ahead of his first game in charge of Western Sydney, with his top two goalkeepers set to be unavailable for selection against Sydney FC.
The Round 1 clash at CommBank Stadium will mark the former Matildas manager’s first A-League game behind the dugout for his new club, and he will likely have to go without No.1 gloveman Lawrence Thomas, as well as back-up Jordan Holmes.
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“Look… minimal, minimal chance,” Stajcic replied when asked about Thomas’s availability for the 39th Sydney Derby.
“He’s obviously missed a lot of preseason through injury but when we talk about leadership, and human qualities and virtues, he’s No.1. I don’t think I’ve come across many better characters and leaders in 20 or 30 years in football.
“We don’t know (who will wear the gloves), that spot’s up for grabs. We’ve got three other goalkeepers, they’ll all be fighting for that spot on the weekend, just like all the (outfield) players are.”
Twenty-one-year-old Tristan Vidackovic is well regarded at the club and could be in line to start between the posts.
Star recruit Juan Mata is set to debut in the red and black on Saturday evening, with Sky Blues marquee Douglas Costa playing in the A-League for the first time.
The two big-name former European players provide some much-needed star power for the A-League and the early season derby is set for a large attendance.
27,500 tickets have been sold for the grudge match with a sell-out likely in the days to come, a Wanderers spokesperson said on Monday.
Central Coast will host Melbourne Victory to open the 2024-25 campaign in a replay of last season’s dramatic grand final. Former Melbourne City boss Patrick Kisnorbo will take charge of his former club’s crosstown rivals for the first time in the league.
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