Western Sydney Wanderers head coach Ufuk Talay has named his extended squad for Friday night’s opening round Sydney Derby.
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The Wanderers will kick off their 2026/27 Isuzu UTE A-League campaign against cross-city rivals Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium, with a new-look Red & Black outfit preparing for one of the biggest occasions on the Australian football calendar.
Friday night’s blockbuster will mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Wanderers under Talay, who becomes the first head coach in Sydney Derby history to have led both sides of the rivalry.
Following a strong pre-season that has seen the Wanderers build momentum through an unbeaten run of results, attention now turns to the opening competitive test of the new campaign.
The extended squad features a blend of established Wanderers, exciting young talent and off-season recruits, with several players in contention to make their first competitive appearance for the Red & Black.
Returning Wanderer Nicolas Milanovic is among those named, alongside new arrivals Miguel Di Pizio, Liam Gillion, Germán Ferreyra and Panashe Madanha, while captain Brandon Borrello will lead the side into the new season.
The squad also includes emerging talents Atiya Waraga and Awan Lual, who have impressed throughout pre-season, adding further competition for places ahead of Friday night’s encounter.
With the Sydney Derby renowned for its intensity, atmosphere and fierce rivalry, the Wanderers will be looking to make a strong start to the campaign in front of a passionate travelling Red & Black contingent.
More than 2,000 Wanderers supporters have already secured their place in the away bays, setting the stage for an electric opening night.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC squad: 3. Alex Gersbach, 6. Stevie Ugarkovic, 7. Aydan Hammond, 8. Dylan Scicluna, 9. Hiroshi Ibusuki, 10. Miguel Di Pizio, 11. Atiya Waraga, 14. Nicolas Milanovic, 17. Jarrod Carluccio, 19. Awan Lual, 20. Larence Thomas (gk), 21. Liam Gillion, 22. Anthony Pantazopoulos, 23. Jordan Holmes (gk), 24. Nathan Barrie, 26. Brandon Borrello, 27. Jai Rose, 32. Angus Thurgate, 33. German Ferreyra, 36. Panashe Madanha
