The 2024/25 Isuzu UTE A-League season is finally here.
Limited tickets remain to the Sydney Derby. Get your tickets here.
It begins with an opening round Sydney Derby, and will hopefully end with the Red & Black back amongst the top teams in the competitions as they fight for finals football and silverware.
Guided by new coach Alen Stajcic, the club have been hard at work in the off-season, and coach and players will look to continue the good work done during pre-season.
It is clear there will be an emphasis placed on bringing through the exciting young talents that have come through the youth ranks at the club, with the likes of Zac Sapsford, Alex Bonetig and Dylan Scicluna all getting solid game time in the Australia Cup, as well as Oscar Priestman and Aidan Simmons.
It was a positive cup run, as the club reached the quarter-finals before a hard fought extra time defeat to Adelaide on the road.
An especially pleasing aspect of this cup run was the run of games club favourite Brandon Borrello got after missing much of last season due to injury.
Having been the clubs top scorer two seasons ago and being a Socceroo as recently as last November, Stajcic will be desperate to have his main attacker fully fit for the season.
His combination with Nicolas Milanovic, who recently signed a contract extension with the club, could prove to be one of the best in the league as they look to fire the Wanderers back to the top of the table.
After joining as a mid-season signing in 2023, Milanovic had a breakout 2023/24 season as he scored nine goals and bagged five assists in 25 games; he has continued his positive run in the cup, scoring twice in the round of 16 and the quarter-final.
The pair will be ably supported by Marcus Antonsson, and two new signings in attacking midfield will look to give them all the service they need.
Bozhidar Kraev has joined after two impressive seasons at the Wellington Phoenix, but the biggest signing by far is the acquisition of former World Cup and European Championship winner Juan Mata.
Having made his name at Chelsea where he won the Champions League, he also had a long spell at Manchester United where he became a popular figure with fans.
After spells in Turkey and most recently in Japan, he has joined the Wanderers and will look to stamp his authority on the league with his quality, as well as guiding youngsters within the Wanderers thanks to his experience.
One player who will benefit from this will be Alex Badolato; the 19-year-old played 12 league matches last season and got two assists, and will look to get his first A-League goal for the Red and Black.
Whilst the club has lost experienced members of the side in Marcelo and Jorrit Hendrix, Korean centre back Jeong Tae-Wook has already looked like a solid replacement for Marcelo, whilst the likes of Lawrence Thomas and Josh Brillante will look to take over the leadership mantle and shepherd a younger side around the park this year.
This is set to be one of the most unpredictable seasons in A-League history, with an expansion side added to the mix along with a host of coaching and player changes; it is difficult to separate much of the competition.
But with fresh leadership on and off the pitch and a good blend of exuberant youth and wise experienced players, Stajcic will hope the good times can be brought back to Wanderland, with the chants from the RBB becoming a fitting backdrop for a successful season.
