Total disaster confronts Sydney FC heading into final round of the Men’s A-League season

Sydney FC failing to make finals was fantasy when the A-League Men’s season began. Yet that is the stark possibility. Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde discuss why.

It’s astonishing to think that Sydney FC’s 2024-25 campaign could be over by Saturday night.

However, that’s the reality of the situation heading into the final weekend of the regular A-League season,

If the Sky Blues lose to Melbourne City at AAMI Park, which many believe they will, it’ll be curtains for the Sydneysiders.

Failing to make the finals would be a total disaster for a team that most predicted at the start of the season would win the title.

Such predictions were made with good reason considering the attacking threats at Sydney’s disposal, including prized off-season recruit Douglas Costa, English winger Joe Lolley, Polish striker Patryk Klimala, Socceroos midfielder Anthony Caceres and young gun Adrian Segecic.

Douglas Costa was Sydney FC’s marquee signing. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

However, the adage that goals win you games but defence wins you titles definitely rings true in Sydney’s case.

The club’s failure to sign an experienced central defender at the start of the season has cost them dearly.

The arrival of Alex Grant in January proved to be too late, and he’s now sidelined with a calf injury in what has been another blow to Sydney’s hopes of playing finals football.

The Sky Blues have been defensively ordinary all season, and it has not only cost them in the A-League but also in the AFC Champions League Two competition.

A spot in the final was Sydney’s for the taking when the semi-final draw pitted Ufuk Talay’s men against Singapore club Lion City Sailors.

Sydney FC head coach Ufuk Talay during their recent draw with Auckland FC. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

However, a poor defensive effort in the first-leg in Singapore proved too much for the Sky Blues to overcome in the second-leg at Allianz Stadium, leading to potentially millions of dollars in prize money going out the window.

AFC Champions League Two glory would have ensured Sydney could call its season a success, regardless of what took place in the A-League.

But now, the Sky Blues are clinging on to the hope they can squeeze their way into the top-six and embark on what will be a high-pressure road to grand final glory.

Reaching the top-six is the absolute minimum requirement for this Sydney team, and even that won’t be adequate if they lose in the first week of the finals.

Sydney FC are on the precipice. Picture: Santanu Banik/MB Media/Getty Images

In the Sky Blues’ favour on Saturday is that their destiny is in their own hands.

A draw will be enough for them to finish in the top-six and end Adelaide’s hopes of sneaking into the finals via the back door.

However, the problem for Sydney is that Melbourne City also has so much to play for.

A win will seal City second spot on the ladder and a place in next season’s AFC Champions League Elite competition.

Anything less than a win will leave City vulnerable to being overtaken on the ladder by Western United, Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory.

A loss could result in City dropping to as low as fifth and forced to play in the first week of the finals away from home.

With so much on the line, City is going to be just as desperate as Sydney.

The tactics are going to be intriguing. A draw would delight the Sky Blues, but they aren’t defensively strong enough to sit back and invite City to create pressure.

Melbourne City are stronger defensively than Adelaide United. Picture: Santanu Banik/MB Media/Getty Images

City is a far better defensive unit but wants more than a draw. If the Melbourne boys take the lead, they are good enough to hold on to it, and the visitors will then have to attack, which will leave them even more vulnerable at the back.

A fascinating 90 minutes awaits us.

Roar changes needed

It’s anything but a surprise that Suncorp Stadium has been declared “not fit for professional football” by the PFA, who have demanded a new home be found for Brisbane Roar.

What’s even less of a shock is that the playing surface at the famous Milton venue has been re-laid for this weekend’s NRL Magic Round.

The Suncorp Stadium surface ahead of Magic Round. Picture: Channel 7

Suncorp’s soaked playing surface during a recent NRL match prior to Magic Round. Picture: NRL Imagery

Unfortunately for the Roar, rugby league will always be king at Suncorp Stadium and there’s no doubt that Brisbane’s struggling A-League team need to play somewhere else in the River City considering the surface and the depressing lack of fans at home games.

That’s backed up by PFA chief executive Beau Busch.

“Suncorp Stadium was once rated the best pitch in the A-League by the players, but today it’s considered the worst, and it’s simply not fit for professional football,” Busch said.

“The surface is inconsistent and unsafe, and even when the Roar attracts strong crowds, the stadium itself is far too large to generate the atmosphere that inspires the players and makes the game special for fans.

“This is a 20-year legacy problem that must be urgently addressed. Without action, the compounding impact on the club’s ability to attract fans, build momentum, and grow the game in Queensland will only deepen.

“Football fans deserve more from the Queensland government, who once celebrated Suncorp as the best pitch in the A-League but now must invest in a solution that gives the game the platform it deserves.”

Beau Busch says the Roar need to play somewhere else in the River City considering the surface. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Busch is right about the surface, but “strong crowds” at Suncorp Stadium do generate an “atmosphere that inspires players”.

The fact that the Roar’s average home attendance was only 5463 this season can’t be blamed on Suncorp Stadium’s playing surface or the state government.

Small crowds are a result of an unsuccessful club on and off the pitch.

Football fans in Queensland have had enough when it comes to the state of the Roar is run and are upset at the failure of club officials to seemingly act on poor results.

Changes will likely happen in the coming weeks, but alterations need to be made off the field if the club has any hope of making a proper recovery.