Sydney FC wants to beat a Wanderers side that includes marquee man Juan Mata

Juan Mata has been named in an extended Wanderers squad for Saturday’s Sydney derby despite carrying a hamstring injury.

Sydney FC coach Ufuk Talay wants the Sky Blues to beat the best version of Western Sydney in Saturday night’s derby, and that means a Wanderers side that includes Spanish star Juan Mata.

Despite injuring his hamstring in the Wanderers’ 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar last week, 36-year-old Mata has been named in an extended squad for the Allianz Stadium showdown.

The former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder seems a slim hope at best to play any part at all in the derby.

“I’d like him to play,” Talay said.

“It adds value to the game.”

🔥They Sydney Derby is always a fiery affair!
Anyone remember this infamous tackle from Daniel Georgievski? #WSWpic.twitter.com/YB7d7C8IAs

— WS Wanderers FC (@wswanderersfc) February 6, 2025

The Sydney coach had similar sentiments about his own marquee man, Brazilian winger Douglas Costa, who has just returned from his own hamstring injury.

“It would be great if we could get Douglas to start, and Juan Mata to start. It’s a great spectacle for the fans that two great players are on the park playing for their sides.

“After the injury that he (Mata) had, we’ll see on game day what they come up with, and how bad his injury actually is.

“If he plays, great. It’s great for the game itself and great for his team, but we’ll just focus on what we need to do.”

As well as focus on what they want to do – beating the Wanderers for a third straight time this season to make it a clean sweep of the derbies between the teams.

A Sydney win would move Talay’s men six points clear of the Wanderers.

“It’s a big game. We need to show our intent from the start of the game,” Talay said.

“We’re playing at home, we want to be on the front foot with and without the ball.

“The first 15, 20 minutes of the derby is always chaotic, and then the game settles down, and the better side actually starts to play football.”

Friday's session done and dusted ahead of Derby Day 🔵

🎟️ https://t.co/mWUs4R7wiR#SydneyDerbypic.twitter.com/DSRuhMM24Y

— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) February 7, 2025

Sydney attacker Jaiden Kucharski said the Sky Blues were “pretty confident” of maintaining their derby dominance.

“We’ve beaten Wanderers both times this season, so hopefully we can do the same again,” Kucharski said.

“We’ve been better at taking our chances.”

Wanderers coach Alen Stajcic said nothing short of Western Sydney’s best would be enough to win.

“We have to have everything firing,” Stajcic said.

“Our attack needs to be at its best, and our defence needs to be at its best, because we playing against strong opposition.

“Not only is it a big game in the context of the city and the rivalry, but also in terms of the league table.

“They’re three points in front (having played) a game extra, so in terms of the league table we’re both on the periphery of the top six, so it’s a massive occasion but also of massive importance for the future of finals campaigns for both teams.”